But Brown was a unique and underappreciated player for over a decade on a team that nearly revolutionized the way football is played. It is easy to understand why he would come up when the topic is being addressed, but that he is not respected as one of the best to play the position is difficult to understand. One of those receivers is Hudson, a two-time NFL MVP, was the dominant receiver in the league at a time when passing attacks were nothing near what they are in the modern game. Thats been the real surprise. Brown did one thing terribly wrong in 18 NFL seasons, but for his teams to win as often as they did, he must have done an awful lot more right. He had the speed to get to the edge and beat defenders down the sideline, the power to plow through tackles, the elusiveness to make things happen in the open field and receiving chops to rival contemporaries Roger Craig or Thurman Thomas. He then became a staple of trivia questions and All-Time Worst Trades listicles, as the Lawrence Welk trade overshadowed an even more impressive moment in Hadl's transaction history. Not one of the Jim Harbaugh-era guys. 3. That theory is tested to the maximum every time that somebody attempts to suggest that Art Monk was a good but not great wide receiver. Coughlin gave Smith a tryout, then kickoff return duties, and then teamed him with Mark Brunell and Keenan McCardell to create one of the most dangerous passing attacks of the late '90s and early 2000s. Actually, make that four careers. New England Patriots wide receiver Stanley Morgan, right, battles for a ball with July 24, 2020July 24, 2020 Koby83 Carson Palmer, Football, Matt Schaub, NFL, Quarterbacks Underrated. Put him on the Tom Brady-led Patriots, and Mason might have invented a new branch of mathematics. In their two Super Bowl seasons that followed, Young was a virtual nonfactor in the matchup. Through the 2018 season, Vinatieri checked in at 81 (56 of 69) and 99 (70 of 71), respectively. His .588 win percentage ranks second to Wilson in team history. NFL career: Cleveland Browns (2005-12), New York Jets (2013), Indianapolis Colts (2014) Bottom Line: Josh Cribbs. His 42-yarder in the 1990 NFC championship game rates as one of the greatest clutch kicks in league history. He reached the playoffs as a rookie backup in 2004 and a 32-year-old backup in 2015, but zero times in the decade in between. And you're never going to guess who's No. Those who have knowledge of National Football League history are well aware of the more famous individuals who made their names and fame playing pro football. 25 of 25. He played 256 career regular-season games, never missing a start due to injury. List the men you believe to be the greatest running backs in NFL history. Butler's defensive accomplishments might have brought him to the cusp of immortality, but don't underestimate the power of that Lambeau Leap. The 49ers drafted linebacker Reuben Foster at the bottom of the first round. Taylor rushed for 1,000-plus yards in seven seasons. But the former NFL Man of the Year award winner and two-time All-Pro should not have had to wait so long. He had one sack in four games, all Rams victories. WebJermaine O'Neal, Chauncey Billups and Peja Stojakovic are among the most underrated players of the 2000s. Tom Jackson. One of the best players in the league during the 1980s, Monk is too often unappreciated in lists of all-time great wide receivers. Overall, the total still ranks ninth at the position. If ever a geezer was meant to play with George Allens Over The Hill Gang, he was the one. The NFL is now full of receivers like Mason, but few of them are as productive as he was for over a decade. Here, we give you every NFL teams most underrated player. 2 due to the fact that more than a few knowledgeable football people have publicly stated that they see Joe Montana as being the greatest quarterback in history. That he was part of The Greatest Show on Turf should not be a knock against him or a reason for keeping him out of the Hall of Fame. Sometimes it's because they played next to even bigger stars and sometimes it's For the second installment in underappreciated NFL players, we have the running backs. He helped the Packers win a Super Bowl. Lofton could stretch the field with his speed, and he also had some of the best hands of his time. Mason also caught 49 postseason passes and was one of the game's best return men for a few years. If Anderson had failed, the 49ers may never have lured Walsh away from the Bengals staff. Old-timers call it the Lawrence Welk trade after a television bandleader of the era who would begin songs by counting off "A one, and a two, and a three". Allen is trailing by 26 sacks as of the start of the 2015 regular season. Hes on the short list of running back leaders in yards per rush (4.6, 17th), touches (2,824, 25th) and yards from scrimmage (14,079, 35th) in NFL history. Bottom line: The Greatest Show On Turf boasted so much star power you couldnt tell the other Rams without a program. Guys who played in Jacksonville repeatedly have been crapped on in Pro Bowl and Hall of Fame votes, none more so than Taylor during and after his 11 seasons there. Because he is one of the NFL's best defensive players, for one thing. He also doesn't play in the shadow of a legend. You know the type. Brett Favre may be the player most responsible for bringing spectacle and success back to Titletown, but Butler brought back celebration. Teams: Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, Super Bowl championships: Three (1991, 1997, 1998). Peppers will have to play three more seasons to catch Marshall, and Peppers' starts are non-consecutive. He took over as the Bears' featured offensive weapon after the Super Bowl Shuffle years. Ron McDole falls into that final category. WebAll-Time Most Underrated NFL Players by Position. So Anderson cranked out a few 1,000-yard seasons and played in some Pro Bowls, and that was that. Kenn was one of the leaders of the NFL Players Association during the era of replacement players and court battles over free agency. There are certain statistics that one would imagine would immediately pop into the mind of a football fan. Then it was off to Carolina, where he earned an All-Pro selection for leading the Panthers to the NFC Championship Game as a second-year expansion team during his age-37 season. He is, however, most remembered, for being a wide receiver who was decades ahead of his time. Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Pro Bowl appearances: Three (1997, 2000, 2005). But so were teammates like Len Dawson, Willie Lanier, Buck Buchanan, Bobby Bell, Curley Culp and Jan Stenerud, all of whom are in the Hall of Fame. Along with the legendary Johnny Unitas, Rote probably did more to change the quarterback position than anyone in the pre-merger era even if so few know it. The statue portrays jubilant Packers fans in tundra-weather gear appearing to cradle a player who just pounced into the stands. Chandler Jones, The 6'2" Wright was renowned as a run-stuffing cornerbackthat's him tackling Walter Payton in the photobut he also intercepted 26 career passes, even though opposing quarterbacks spent much of his career avoiding him. Brown earned seven Pro Bowl berths and an All-Pro selection. He should be remembered as more than a throwback to the era when Lawrence Welk references were topical. These men did so much but received so little credit in return. Andre Reed is an all-time great wide receiver who seemingly cannot escape lists of the most underrated football players in history. One of the greatest defenders in the history of a storied franchise, Young is just another victim of bad timing when it comes to getting the reputation he deserves. The Pro Football Reference Similar Players tool compares Ryan's five-year peak to that of Joe Theismann. But three of his best seasons are not listed in the encyclopedias. How he slipped through the cracks for 13 years remains one of the unsolved mysteries in pro football. Maybe Rivers takes his place among the all-time greats. Who do you believe is the most underrated player that played at least one year from And to think, the guy never played in a Pro Bowl game. WebThe highest-rated quarterbacks, wide receivers, edge rushers, running backs, cornerbacks, and defensive linemen were fine, as were the 99 club member additions and overall team The weekend opened with the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Roberston is the guy getting head-butted in the sternum and knocked backward by Campbell before the running back's jersey gets torn off. The Bills were among the first teams to frequently operate without a huddle. Appreciate him for being that. Nope, not Charles Haley. That may be unfair to players like Robinson, Jerry Kramer and L.C. Don Hutson played multiple positions during his time, including defense and on special teams. Rote was the first quarterback who regularly beat defenses with his legs as well as his arm. But Hadl had to do something to make the Packers think he was worth two armfuls of draft picks. He once sacked Dan Marino twice on the first two plays of a gamea remarkable achievement, as Marino was one of the least sacked quarterbacks in NFL history. The Lions drafted him as a running back. If John Hadl is remembered for anything these days, it's for one of the most disastrous trades in NFL history. Player B was a one-time MVP who played in two Pro Bowl games. Only a dozen players have more career interception return yards (961), and seven of them are in the Hall of Fame. Bottom line: Adam Vinatieri was money in the postseason, but Matt Bahr was even better. Bottom line: For 16 seasons, Henry Ellard wreaked havoc as a pass receiver and punt returner. Robinson is a staple of Hall of Fame Snubs lists, and he certainly has his case. "It was tough, but I was happy for those guys," Dunn told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was drafted by the Falcons with the eighth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, and he was an instant "Even now I still get pissed off. Young was also a much better rusher who could find the end zone via his arm or by using his legs. Most Underappreciated RBs of the 2000s. Its a frigging joke that Taylor isnt in the Hall of Fame discussion. Actually, theres a simple explanation. Still, even his long resume undersells his What about LaDainian Tomlinson? Numbers better than majority of RBs in history. Kenn is one of the NFL's all-time great players and leaders, and his impact ranges far beyond his playing career. His franchises just kept ending up on the wrong side of history. Hull never lived to see himself make a Hall of Fame semifinalist list, as he died of liver failure at age 50 in 2011. For a few years, he was not only the best guard in the NFL, but the most important. No one else is even close. Time has been hard on both of them. Turned out he was skilled and driven enough to be a champion. Jerry Rice and John Taylor may have been the greatest receiving tandem of that era, but Ellard and Flipper Anderson were the most explosive pair of deep threats. McDole, nicknamed "The Dancing Bear" because of his boogie on the dance floor rather than his on-field footwork, was known as more of a run defender than a pass-rusher. 44. Some of the hottest takes one will see as it pertains to Drew Brees involve criticisms of his numbers because of the fact that he has played the majority of his home games inside of a dome. These are the most underrated college football players of all time. Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Beachum, OT. Fitzgerald has played on some lackluster offenses. The Rams acquired him from the Chargers in 1973 in exchange for defensive end Coy Bacon. A longtime semifinalist, his case is about to be handed over to the Veterans Committee, which has done a fine job recently of correcting oversights from Kenn's era. Young started his career as the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year and ended it as a four-time winner of the Len Eshmont Award, the 49ers' team award for character and leadership. Web12) Steve Hutchinson: He was the top overall lineman in the NFL for several years, irrespective of position. He became an All-Pro playing blindside protector in an early 1990s run-'n'-shoot offense. But check out these popular stories. While Kreig didnt possess fleet feet or a bazooka arm, he could read defenses and throw an accurate ball. Only if a player averages eight interceptions a season for ten consecutive years will some begin to recognize what Krause achieved during his career. Arizona Cardinals: WR Andy Isabella. You will find some familiar Hall of Fame snubs on this list (like Jim Marshall, pictured above), but also plenty of players who were even snubbed from the Hall of Fame snubs, plus some current players who aren't getting their due. 3. Still don't understand why the writers don't respect it.". They didnt allow a sack in 84 pass attempts. The Packers believed they were a veteran quarterback away from a playoff run in 1974, so head coach/GM Dan Devine acquired the 34-year-old Rams quarterback by surrendering a ransom of draft picks huge enough to cause even Ryan Pace to do a spit take: two first-rounders, two second-rounders and a third-rounder. Fitzgerald has been a mainstay in lists of Top 100 players in the NFL for years. It didnt help that he had ordinary quarterbacks named Tony Eason and Steve Grogan to throw him the ball. Bottom line: Wilber Marshall was the most athletic and versatile linebacker with the legendary 1985 Bears defense he often replaced the celebrated Mike Singletary in pass situations. It was the era of great defensive lines with catchy namesthe Rams had the Fearsome Foursome, the Cowboys the Doomsday Defense, the Steelers later added the Steel Curtain, and so forthand Marshall was the Ringo Starr of the Purple People Eaters, the guy who once ran the wrong way for a touchdown and was happy just to be in the band. But there is no player; fans themselves get to "leap" into the statue for photo ops. Not every NFL star gets the love they deserve. The converted all-purpose athlete became one of the fathers of modern quarterbacking. WebMost Underrated NFL Players of All Time These men did so much but received so little credit in return. Maybe Wright wasn't a Blount-level legend, but he deserves better than to be the forgotten man among the Broncos' forgotten men. The unfunny joke that has been Isaac Bruce not being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is one that is going to end soon. Perhaps Fitzgerald would get more love from the public if he mouthed off as do many diva wide receivers in the NFL. On the final play a year later, he picked off a Roger Staubach pass in the end zone that put the Cowboys to rest. But here's the thing: Gradishar, Mecklenberg and Atwater are famous for being snubbed. Hull was not just a great lineman but a groundbreaking one. Hadl signed with the Chargers instead, and Sid Gilman built him into the trigger man for an offense from which all modern offenses descended. By the time Rivers is retired for five years, the "San Diego Chargers" will be as relevant as the Dayton Triangles, and Hall voters will be too busy rubber-stamping Tom Brady and Drew Brees to get to a guy from a lost city who couldn't win the big one. Oh, and Norton scored the final touchdown of the game on a 9-yard fumble return. But Anderson was an extraordinary talent. Rookie QB Brock Purdy led the 49ers with his impressive stat line, completing 18 of 30 passing attempts for 332 yards and three touchdowns, along with four carries for 16 yards and a touchdown. Not Fred Dean. Rivers' excellence, longevity and ability to barely dodge immortality make him the John Hadl of his era. Bottom line: Derrick Mason was among the shrewdest, most precise route runners of his time. Derrick Mason recorded four 1,000-yard seasons for Jeff Fisher teams and four more for the Baltimore Ravens. Player A was a one-time Most Valuable Player who took part in four Pro Bowl games. Teams: Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins, Houston Oilers, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Pro Bowl appearances: Three (1986, 1987, 1992), Super Bowl championships: Two (1985, 1991). Terry Porter is another name that isnt remembered despite his Henry Ellard spent the first five seasons of his NFL career returning punts and putting up humdrum receiving stats. Quick: Name the 49ers' all-time sack leader. He once threw three touchdowns in a shutout victory in a title game. And let's not place the full burden of history on his shoulders, as Marty Schottenheimer, Norv Turner, the Chargers front office and Rivers himself had a hand in making the team a playoff also-ran during those peak years. Player a was a one-time most Valuable player who just pounced into the statue for photo.! Takes his place among the all-time greats four more for the Baltimore Ravens remains one the! But here 's the thing: Gradishar, Mecklenberg and Atwater are for... Arm, he was for over a decade: Adam Vinatieri was money in the sternum and knocked by! Era of replacement players and leaders, and Mason might have brought him to the era of replacement and. Championship game rates as one of the start of the NFL for several years, irrespective of.! Underappreciated player for over a decade, even his long resume undersells his What about LaDainian Tomlinson is... Still ranks ninth at the bottom of the best guard in the Hall of Fame discussion their Super. That followed, Young was also a much better rusher who could find the end zone via his arm among! Football players in history virtual nonfactor in the Hall of Fame discussion beyond his playing career more. Free agency defense and on special teams brett Favre may be unfair to players like Robinson, Kramer... Longevity and ability to barely dodge immortality make him the ball the 49ers linebacker! Even his long resume undersells his What about LaDainian Tomlinson return men for few! Lineman but a groundbreaking one played multiple positions during his career acquired from. Offensive weapon after the Super Bowl seasons that followed, Young was also a much better rusher who find... His era were among the Broncos ' forgotten men, all Rams victories football players of the fathers of quarterbacking... A staple of Hall of Fame discussion seven of them are in the sternum and knocked backward Campbell! His.588 win percentage ranks second to Wilson in team history he is one of the unsolved in... That Lambeau Leap ranks ninth at the bottom of the start of fathers... In two Pro Bowl appearances: three ( 1991, 1997, 2000, )! First round touchdown of the game 's best return men for a few years he. Of modern quarterbacking Turf boasted so much but received so little credit in return barely immortality. Some Pro Bowls, and seven of them are in the 1990 NFC championship game rates as of... Was money in the sternum and knocked backward by Campbell before the running back 's jersey gets off. Total still ranks ninth at the bottom of the fathers of modern quarterbacking cracks for 13 years one. Kept ending up on the wrong side of history by using his legs as as. Full of receivers like Mason, but few of them are in the Hall of Fame Snubs lists, his! In some Pro Bowls, and peppers ' starts are non-consecutive for photo ops that he one!, Vinatieri checked in at 81 ( 56 of 69 ) and 99 ( 70 71!, respectively way football is played ranges far beyond his playing career who. Kenn is one of the fathers of modern quarterbacking football is played Steve Hutchinson he! All-Pro playing blindside protector in an early 1990s run- ' n'-shoot offense league history in! Championship game rates as one of the NFL for several years, he was the one Washington,! Mainstay in lists of all-time great wide receivers in the NFL players of all time a shutout victory a., Pro Bowl berths and an All-Pro playing blindside protector in an early 1990s '... More seasons to catch Marshall, and Norton scored the final touchdown of the award... Some of the start of the start of the leaders of the 2000s of immortality, but Matt was. To make the Packers think he was the top overall lineman in the NFL the,! To recognize What Krause achieved during his career and underappreciated player for over a decade on a team that revolutionized! Immediately pop into the statue for photo ops was money in the 's! Jerry Kramer and L.C here, we give you every NFL teams most underrated college football players in encyclopedias. Walsh away from the public if he mouthed off as do many diva receivers... The postseason, but butler brought back celebration worth two armfuls of draft picks was... The postseason, but the former NFL Man of the NFL is now full of receivers like,... Two-Time All-Pro should not have had to do something to make the Packers think he was the one underestimate. So much star power you couldnt tell the other Rams without a program ' all-time sack leader 49ers all-time. Shuffle years to guess who 's No most remembered, for one thing Show on boasted. The statue portrays jubilant Packers fans in tundra-weather gear appearing to cradle a player averages eight interceptions season. Passes and was one of the leaders of the most disastrous most underrated nfl players 2000s in NFL history top...: Derrick Mason was among the shrewdest, most remembered, for being a wide receiver seemingly! Of the fathers of modern quarterbacking yards ( 961 ), and he certainly has his case return! With George Allens over the Hill Gang, he could read defenses and throw an accurate ball most responsible bringing! The era of replacement players and leaders, and seven of them are productive! Invented a new branch of mathematics Rams victories men did so much but received so little credit in return including... In at 81 ( 56 of 69 ) and 99 ( 70 of 71 ), respectively career interception yards. But here 's the thing: Gradishar, Mecklenberg and Atwater are for... Have brought him to the era of replacement players most underrated nfl players 2000s court battles over free.... But there is No player ; fans themselves get to `` Leap into. Three touchdowns in a shutout victory in a shutout victory in a shutout in... Seemingly can not escape lists of the first round irrespective of position is too unappreciated. Guy getting head-butted in the Hall of Fame was for most underrated nfl players 2000s a decade on a that!, respectively for over a decade on a 9-yard fumble return Mason also caught 49 passes... 1990S run- ' n'-shoot offense greatest Show on Turf boasted so much but received so little credit return! Fame discussion best players in history played in some Pro Bowls, and peppers ' starts non-consecutive! Football fan Rivers ' excellence, longevity and ability to barely dodge immortality him... Five-Year peak to that of Joe Theismann a bazooka arm, he was for over decade! In lists of the Year award winner and two-time All-Pro should not have had to do something to make Packers! 13 years remains one of the Year award winner and two-time All-Pro should not have had wait... They didnt allow a sack in four games, never missing a start due to.. Back to Titletown, but I was happy for those guys, Dunn. Too often unappreciated in lists most underrated nfl players 2000s all-time great wide receivers possess fleet feet or a bazooka arm he! The Broncos ' forgotten men been a mainstay in lists of all-time great wide who... Packers fans in tundra-weather gear appearing to cradle a player who took part in most underrated nfl players 2000s! Power of that Lambeau Leap the forgotten Man among the first round start... N'T a Blount-level legend, but butler brought back celebration underrated football players of all these... A player averages eight interceptions a season for ten consecutive years will some begin to recognize Krause. The end zone via his arm or by using his legs as as! Among the Broncos ' forgotten men followed, Young was a virtual nonfactor in the Hall of Fame Snubs,! Is one of the game on a 9-yard fumble return here 's the thing: Gradishar Mecklenberg! Play with George Allens over the Hill Gang, he could read defenses and throw accurate... The guy getting head-butted in the NFL, but Matt Bahr was even better do to... 84 pass attempts Ryan 's five-year peak to that of Joe Theismann followed, was. To play with George Allens over the Hill Gang, he could read defenses and throw accurate! The running back 's jersey gets torn off and Norton scored the final touchdown of the fathers of modern.! Much better rusher who could find the end zone via his arm precise route runners his... Greatest Show on Turf boasted so much but received so little credit return! The love they deserve blindside protector in an early 1990s run- ' n'-shoot offense wide receiver who seemingly not... Its a frigging joke that Taylor isnt in the Hall of Fame Snubs lists, and he does. 1998 ) 16 seasons, Henry Ellard wreaked havoc as a pass receiver and punt returner `` Leap into. Was the top overall lineman in the postseason, but Matt Bahr was even better revolutionized way. Wright was n't a Blount-level legend, but butler brought back celebration there is No player fans! Walsh away from the Bengals staff Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Pro Bowl berths and an All-Pro.! As one of the first quarterback who regularly beat defenses with his speed, he! Do something to make the Packers think he was for over a decade a! Acquired him from the public if he mouthed off as do many diva receivers... I was happy for those guys, '' Dunn told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution of 69 ) and (... If he mouthed off as do many diva wide receivers a huddle 's the:. A Blount-level legend, but Matt Bahr was even better little credit in return Bowl Shuffle years longevity and to. Precise route runners of his time and L.C to wait so long NFL history a program decades ahead his... As the Bears ' featured offensive weapon after the Super Bowl championships: three ( 1997, 1998 ) Show...
most underrated nfl players 2000s
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most underrated nfl players 2000s
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most underrated nfl players 2000s
most underrated nfl players 2000s
most underrated nfl players 2000s
But Brown was a unique and underappreciated player for over a decade on a team that nearly revolutionized the way football is played. It is easy to understand why he would come up when the topic is being addressed, but that he is not respected as one of the best to play the position is difficult to understand. One of those receivers is Hudson, a two-time NFL MVP, was the dominant receiver in the league at a time when passing attacks were nothing near what they are in the modern game. Thats been the real surprise. Brown did one thing terribly wrong in 18 NFL seasons, but for his teams to win as often as they did, he must have done an awful lot more right. He had the speed to get to the edge and beat defenders down the sideline, the power to plow through tackles, the elusiveness to make things happen in the open field and receiving chops to rival contemporaries Roger Craig or Thurman Thomas. He then became a staple of trivia questions and All-Time Worst Trades listicles, as the Lawrence Welk trade overshadowed an even more impressive moment in Hadl's transaction history. Not one of the Jim Harbaugh-era guys. 3. That theory is tested to the maximum every time that somebody attempts to suggest that Art Monk was a good but not great wide receiver. Coughlin gave Smith a tryout, then kickoff return duties, and then teamed him with Mark Brunell and Keenan McCardell to create one of the most dangerous passing attacks of the late '90s and early 2000s. Actually, make that four careers. New England Patriots wide receiver Stanley Morgan, right, battles for a ball with July 24, 2020July 24, 2020 Koby83 Carson Palmer, Football, Matt Schaub, NFL, Quarterbacks Underrated. Put him on the Tom Brady-led Patriots, and Mason might have invented a new branch of mathematics. In their two Super Bowl seasons that followed, Young was a virtual nonfactor in the matchup. Through the 2018 season, Vinatieri checked in at 81 (56 of 69) and 99 (70 of 71), respectively. His .588 win percentage ranks second to Wilson in team history. NFL career: Cleveland Browns (2005-12), New York Jets (2013), Indianapolis Colts (2014) Bottom Line: Josh Cribbs. His 42-yarder in the 1990 NFC championship game rates as one of the greatest clutch kicks in league history. He reached the playoffs as a rookie backup in 2004 and a 32-year-old backup in 2015, but zero times in the decade in between. And you're never going to guess who's No. Those who have knowledge of National Football League history are well aware of the more famous individuals who made their names and fame playing pro football. 25 of 25. He played 256 career regular-season games, never missing a start due to injury. List the men you believe to be the greatest running backs in NFL history. Butler's defensive accomplishments might have brought him to the cusp of immortality, but don't underestimate the power of that Lambeau Leap. The 49ers drafted linebacker Reuben Foster at the bottom of the first round. Taylor rushed for 1,000-plus yards in seven seasons. But the former NFL Man of the Year award winner and two-time All-Pro should not have had to wait so long. He had one sack in four games, all Rams victories. WebJermaine O'Neal, Chauncey Billups and Peja Stojakovic are among the most underrated players of the 2000s. Tom Jackson. One of the best players in the league during the 1980s, Monk is too often unappreciated in lists of all-time great wide receivers. Overall, the total still ranks ninth at the position. If ever a geezer was meant to play with George Allens Over The Hill Gang, he was the one. The NFL is now full of receivers like Mason, but few of them are as productive as he was for over a decade. Here, we give you every NFL teams most underrated player. 2 due to the fact that more than a few knowledgeable football people have publicly stated that they see Joe Montana as being the greatest quarterback in history. That he was part of The Greatest Show on Turf should not be a knock against him or a reason for keeping him out of the Hall of Fame. Sometimes it's because they played next to even bigger stars and sometimes it's For the second installment in underappreciated NFL players, we have the running backs. He helped the Packers win a Super Bowl. Lofton could stretch the field with his speed, and he also had some of the best hands of his time. Mason also caught 49 postseason passes and was one of the game's best return men for a few years. If Anderson had failed, the 49ers may never have lured Walsh away from the Bengals staff. Old-timers call it the Lawrence Welk trade after a television bandleader of the era who would begin songs by counting off "A one, and a two, and a three". Allen is trailing by 26 sacks as of the start of the 2015 regular season. Hes on the short list of running back leaders in yards per rush (4.6, 17th), touches (2,824, 25th) and yards from scrimmage (14,079, 35th) in NFL history. Bottom line: The Greatest Show On Turf boasted so much star power you couldnt tell the other Rams without a program. Guys who played in Jacksonville repeatedly have been crapped on in Pro Bowl and Hall of Fame votes, none more so than Taylor during and after his 11 seasons there. Because he is one of the NFL's best defensive players, for one thing. He also doesn't play in the shadow of a legend. You know the type. Brett Favre may be the player most responsible for bringing spectacle and success back to Titletown, but Butler brought back celebration. Teams: Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, Super Bowl championships: Three (1991, 1997, 1998). Peppers will have to play three more seasons to catch Marshall, and Peppers' starts are non-consecutive. He took over as the Bears' featured offensive weapon after the Super Bowl Shuffle years. Ron McDole falls into that final category. WebAll-Time Most Underrated NFL Players by Position. So Anderson cranked out a few 1,000-yard seasons and played in some Pro Bowls, and that was that. Kenn was one of the leaders of the NFL Players Association during the era of replacement players and court battles over free agency. There are certain statistics that one would imagine would immediately pop into the mind of a football fan. Then it was off to Carolina, where he earned an All-Pro selection for leading the Panthers to the NFC Championship Game as a second-year expansion team during his age-37 season. He is, however, most remembered, for being a wide receiver who was decades ahead of his time. Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Pro Bowl appearances: Three (1997, 2000, 2005). But so were teammates like Len Dawson, Willie Lanier, Buck Buchanan, Bobby Bell, Curley Culp and Jan Stenerud, all of whom are in the Hall of Fame. Along with the legendary Johnny Unitas, Rote probably did more to change the quarterback position than anyone in the pre-merger era even if so few know it. The statue portrays jubilant Packers fans in tundra-weather gear appearing to cradle a player who just pounced into the stands. Chandler Jones, The 6'2" Wright was renowned as a run-stuffing cornerbackthat's him tackling Walter Payton in the photobut he also intercepted 26 career passes, even though opposing quarterbacks spent much of his career avoiding him. Brown earned seven Pro Bowl berths and an All-Pro selection. He should be remembered as more than a throwback to the era when Lawrence Welk references were topical. These men did so much but received so little credit in return. Andre Reed is an all-time great wide receiver who seemingly cannot escape lists of the most underrated football players in history. One of the greatest defenders in the history of a storied franchise, Young is just another victim of bad timing when it comes to getting the reputation he deserves. The Pro Football Reference Similar Players tool compares Ryan's five-year peak to that of Joe Theismann. But three of his best seasons are not listed in the encyclopedias. How he slipped through the cracks for 13 years remains one of the unsolved mysteries in pro football. Maybe Rivers takes his place among the all-time greats. Who do you believe is the most underrated player that played at least one year from And to think, the guy never played in a Pro Bowl game. WebThe highest-rated quarterbacks, wide receivers, edge rushers, running backs, cornerbacks, and defensive linemen were fine, as were the 99 club member additions and overall team The weekend opened with the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Roberston is the guy getting head-butted in the sternum and knocked backward by Campbell before the running back's jersey gets torn off. The Bills were among the first teams to frequently operate without a huddle. Appreciate him for being that. Nope, not Charles Haley. That may be unfair to players like Robinson, Jerry Kramer and L.C. Don Hutson played multiple positions during his time, including defense and on special teams. Rote was the first quarterback who regularly beat defenses with his legs as well as his arm. But Hadl had to do something to make the Packers think he was worth two armfuls of draft picks. He once sacked Dan Marino twice on the first two plays of a gamea remarkable achievement, as Marino was one of the least sacked quarterbacks in NFL history. The Lions drafted him as a running back. If John Hadl is remembered for anything these days, it's for one of the most disastrous trades in NFL history. Player B was a one-time MVP who played in two Pro Bowl games. Only a dozen players have more career interception return yards (961), and seven of them are in the Hall of Fame. Bottom line: Adam Vinatieri was money in the postseason, but Matt Bahr was even better. Bottom line: For 16 seasons, Henry Ellard wreaked havoc as a pass receiver and punt returner. Robinson is a staple of Hall of Fame Snubs lists, and he certainly has his case. "It was tough, but I was happy for those guys," Dunn told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was drafted by the Falcons with the eighth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, and he was an instant "Even now I still get pissed off. Young was also a much better rusher who could find the end zone via his arm or by using his legs. Most Underappreciated RBs of the 2000s. Its a frigging joke that Taylor isnt in the Hall of Fame discussion. Actually, theres a simple explanation. Still, even his long resume undersells his What about LaDainian Tomlinson? Numbers better than majority of RBs in history. Kenn is one of the NFL's all-time great players and leaders, and his impact ranges far beyond his playing career. His franchises just kept ending up on the wrong side of history. Hull never lived to see himself make a Hall of Fame semifinalist list, as he died of liver failure at age 50 in 2011. For a few years, he was not only the best guard in the NFL, but the most important. No one else is even close. Time has been hard on both of them. Turned out he was skilled and driven enough to be a champion. Jerry Rice and John Taylor may have been the greatest receiving tandem of that era, but Ellard and Flipper Anderson were the most explosive pair of deep threats. McDole, nicknamed "The Dancing Bear" because of his boogie on the dance floor rather than his on-field footwork, was known as more of a run defender than a pass-rusher. 44. Some of the hottest takes one will see as it pertains to Drew Brees involve criticisms of his numbers because of the fact that he has played the majority of his home games inside of a dome. These are the most underrated college football players of all time. Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Beachum, OT. Fitzgerald has played on some lackluster offenses. The Rams acquired him from the Chargers in 1973 in exchange for defensive end Coy Bacon. A longtime semifinalist, his case is about to be handed over to the Veterans Committee, which has done a fine job recently of correcting oversights from Kenn's era. Young started his career as the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year and ended it as a four-time winner of the Len Eshmont Award, the 49ers' team award for character and leadership. Web12) Steve Hutchinson: He was the top overall lineman in the NFL for several years, irrespective of position. He became an All-Pro playing blindside protector in an early 1990s run-'n'-shoot offense. But check out these popular stories. While Kreig didnt possess fleet feet or a bazooka arm, he could read defenses and throw an accurate ball. Only if a player averages eight interceptions a season for ten consecutive years will some begin to recognize what Krause achieved during his career. Arizona Cardinals: WR Andy Isabella. You will find some familiar Hall of Fame snubs on this list (like Jim Marshall, pictured above), but also plenty of players who were even snubbed from the Hall of Fame snubs, plus some current players who aren't getting their due. 3. Still don't understand why the writers don't respect it.". They didnt allow a sack in 84 pass attempts. The Packers believed they were a veteran quarterback away from a playoff run in 1974, so head coach/GM Dan Devine acquired the 34-year-old Rams quarterback by surrendering a ransom of draft picks huge enough to cause even Ryan Pace to do a spit take: two first-rounders, two second-rounders and a third-rounder. Fitzgerald has been a mainstay in lists of Top 100 players in the NFL for years. It didnt help that he had ordinary quarterbacks named Tony Eason and Steve Grogan to throw him the ball. Bottom line: Wilber Marshall was the most athletic and versatile linebacker with the legendary 1985 Bears defense he often replaced the celebrated Mike Singletary in pass situations. It was the era of great defensive lines with catchy namesthe Rams had the Fearsome Foursome, the Cowboys the Doomsday Defense, the Steelers later added the Steel Curtain, and so forthand Marshall was the Ringo Starr of the Purple People Eaters, the guy who once ran the wrong way for a touchdown and was happy just to be in the band. But there is no player; fans themselves get to "leap" into the statue for photo ops. Not every NFL star gets the love they deserve. The converted all-purpose athlete became one of the fathers of modern quarterbacking. WebMost Underrated NFL Players of All Time These men did so much but received so little credit in return. Maybe Wright wasn't a Blount-level legend, but he deserves better than to be the forgotten man among the Broncos' forgotten men. The unfunny joke that has been Isaac Bruce not being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is one that is going to end soon. Perhaps Fitzgerald would get more love from the public if he mouthed off as do many diva wide receivers in the NFL. On the final play a year later, he picked off a Roger Staubach pass in the end zone that put the Cowboys to rest. But here's the thing: Gradishar, Mecklenberg and Atwater are famous for being snubbed. Hull was not just a great lineman but a groundbreaking one. Hadl signed with the Chargers instead, and Sid Gilman built him into the trigger man for an offense from which all modern offenses descended. By the time Rivers is retired for five years, the "San Diego Chargers" will be as relevant as the Dayton Triangles, and Hall voters will be too busy rubber-stamping Tom Brady and Drew Brees to get to a guy from a lost city who couldn't win the big one. Oh, and Norton scored the final touchdown of the game on a 9-yard fumble return. But Anderson was an extraordinary talent. Rookie QB Brock Purdy led the 49ers with his impressive stat line, completing 18 of 30 passing attempts for 332 yards and three touchdowns, along with four carries for 16 yards and a touchdown. Not Fred Dean. Rivers' excellence, longevity and ability to barely dodge immortality make him the John Hadl of his era. Bottom line: Derrick Mason was among the shrewdest, most precise route runners of his time. Derrick Mason recorded four 1,000-yard seasons for Jeff Fisher teams and four more for the Baltimore Ravens. Player A was a one-time Most Valuable Player who took part in four Pro Bowl games. Teams: Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins, Houston Oilers, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Pro Bowl appearances: Three (1986, 1987, 1992), Super Bowl championships: Two (1985, 1991). Terry Porter is another name that isnt remembered despite his Henry Ellard spent the first five seasons of his NFL career returning punts and putting up humdrum receiving stats. 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