In a world of real-time highlights, all NFL games on satellite TV each week and Internet immediacy to what's happening in every game, it would seem farfetched that some players are actually media-made creations.
But it happens.
Take the case of Tampa Bay running back Mike Alstott. Has John Madden done more for any other player's career?
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| Jeff George would lose a popularity contest but remains underrated as a player.(AP) |
The reality is he's a player without a position. He's too slow to be the featured back, but there is also the question of whether he blocks well enough to be a fullback. The Bucs will try him there this season, but there are doubts about his ability to lead Warrick Dunn into the hole. He can be a capable receiver out of the backfield.
Add it all up, and he is the most overrated player in the league. He heads a list that includes Cleveland tight end Rickey Dudley, Green Bay wide receiver Antonio Freeman, Chicago defensive end Phillip Daniels and Oakland defensive tackle Darrell Russell.
So who's the most underrated player?
That one's tough. There are several players who could earn that honor on their teams. They don't get the Madden-fed pub, but you can bet their teammates, the scouts and their opponents darn well know about them.
Two players top this list, the league's co-underrated. They are Indianapolis linebacker Mike Peterson and Kansas City defensive end Eric Hicks.
Peterson led the Colts in tackles from his weakside linebacker spot and continues to be an every-down player. He plays the game the way it should be played: all-out, all the time, with a bounce to his step.
Hicks, who signed as an undrafted free agent in 1998, had 14 sacks last season and probably should have gone to the Pro Bowl. He clearly outplayed higher-profile players on his own defense, including Chester McGlockton and Dan Williams.
Peterson and Hicks don't play for marquee teams and don't get a lot of hype. They just do their jobs, and do them well.
Here's a list of one underrated and one overrated player on each team. Chew on it, think about it and argue about it.
Just remember one thing: Don't let Madden or any other announcer influence the way you think.
- Overrated: QB Jake Plummer. The next Joe Montana? Not quite. He has to produce in 2001.
- Underrated: DT Mao Tosi. Started some as a rookie and should get better with age. Has the quickness needed to pressure the passer.
- Overrated: DE Brady Smith. He has the tools to be a guy who can get sacks, but he doesn't.
- Underrated: LB Chris Draft. A street free agent, he started some last season and also plays well on special teams. Will only get better.
- Overrated: QB Elvis Grbac. Is he really better than Trent Dilfer? He is a journeyman with a couple of good seasons under his belt.
- Underrated: DE Rob Burnett. He had his best season in 2000, but is the overlooked player on a good line.
- Overrated: G Ruben Brown. He goes to Pro Bowls, but mostly because there aren't many top-notch guards.
- Underrated: S Keion Carpenter. Led the team in interceptions, which was the surprise of 2000.
- Overrated: T Todd Steussie. The Panthers paid big money to get him, but he hasn't played that well the past two seasons.
- Underrated: MLB Lester Towns. He's a big hitter who came from nowhere to start last season as a rookie.
- Overrated: Dudley. Has Kellen Winslow potential but has trouble catching the ball. Is he even better than incumbent Aaron Shea?
- Underrated: C Dave Wohlabaugh. He has been the best lineman for the past couple of seasons.
- Overrated: Daniels. Was he worth all that money? He sure wasn't last season.
- Underrated: S Mike Brown. Started as a rookie and will be a Pro Bowl player soon.
- Overrated: G Matt O'Dwyer. One of the league's dirtiest players, he tries to make up for his lack of skill.
- Underrated: CB Robert Bean. Watch out for this kid. He showed signs of being a solid cover corner as a rookie.
- Overrated: DE Ebenezer Ekuban. Will he ever learn how to play the run?
- Underrated: CB Mario Edwards. Currently the starter at left corner, he could develop into a major draft steal from a year ago.
- Overrated: DT Chester McGlockton. Might be one of the laziest players in the league He has never has lived up to the billing.
- Underrated: T Matt Lepsis. This former tight end has made a nice transition to the line. Can play both tackle spots.
- Overrated: RB James Stewart. He will never be a back that forces teams to play eight men in the box, just a steady runner.
- Underrated: DT James Jones. He's getting up in years, but he's still a steady force in the middle.
- Overrated: Freeman. It's time for him to grow up and start producing like he did in his early years.
- Underrated: LB Na'il Diggs. Played like a seasoned vet as a rookie. Can be something special.
- Overrated: S Chad Cota. Makes some big hits, but a liability in coverage.
- Underrated: Peterson. He's one of the most active linebackers in the league despite being undersized.
- Overrated: LB Hardy Nickerson. Even before injuries slowed him last season, Nickerson's age looked to be catching up with him.
- Underrated: DT Gary Walker. Despite being bothered by injuries last season, he was the best of the linemen. He has played near a Pro Bowl level the past two seasons.
- Overrated: QB Trent Green. This is a big gamble considering the injury risk. He certainly isn't in Kurt Warner's class.
- Underrated: Hicks. He's the best unknown end in the game. Teams might scheme him this year, though.
- Overrated: DE Jason Taylor. A great pass rusher, but he gives little against the run.
- Underrated: G Mark Dixon. Should have gone to the Pro Bowl last season.
- Overrated: S Robert Griffith. He's a good player, but he didn't play to his normal level last season.
- Underrated: FB Jimmy Kleinsasser. Former TE has developed into an outstanding lead blocker.
- Overrated: DE Willie McGinest. Has he ever lived up to the reputation? Should be getting many more sacks.
- Underrated: DT Bobby Hamilton. Was a force against the run in 2000 and led the defensive line in tackles.
- Overrated: QB Jeff Blake. Started out well before getting injured, but is he anything more than a deep-ball threat?
- Underrated: S Sammy Knight. He doesn't run well, but he still makes a ton of plays. Not bad for a player who wasn't drafted.
- Overrated: CB Jason Sehorn. He's not close to being the same player he was two years ago, although injuries have had an impact.
- Underrated: DT Cornelius Griffin. Has a chance to be a Pro Bowl player after an impressive rookie season.
- Overrated: CB Ray Mickens. He struggled as the team's nickel back last season.
- Underrated: CB Marcus Coleman. Is a better player than the more hyped Aaron Glenn.
- Overrated: DT Darrell Russell. Can be a great player, but he tailed off badly last season.
- Underrated: T Lincoln Kennedy. He was the team's best offensive lineman last season.
- Overrated: T Jon Runyan. He's a good player, but he struggles with the speed rushers. Mike Strahan killed him last season.
- Underrated: LB Carlos Emmons. Had his finest season after coming over as a free agent from the Steelers.
- Overrated: WR Plaxico Burress. When will he live up to all that potential?
- Underrated: LB Earl Holmes. He was better than more-hyped Levon Kirkland last season.
- Overrated: QB Doug Flutie. He is what he is: a decent quarterback who some people think can be very good.
- Underrated: DT John Parella. A strong player who continues to play better than his abilities might suggest.
- Overrated: DT Dana Stubblefield. Even though he isn't as highly ranked as he was in his first stint with the team, he's not as good as his clippings.
- Underrated: C Jeremy Newberry. Played at near a Pro Bowl level in his first season starting at center.
- Overrated: LB London Fletcher. Puts up big numbers but often gets caught out of position.
- Underrated: DE Grant Wistrom. Was the team's best lineman last year, better than even Kevin Carter.
- Overrated: DT John Randle. Age began to take a toll on Randle last season, which makes his signing a questionable one.
- Underrated: OLB Anthony Simmons. Move to the outside proved to be what Simmons needed to take his game up a notch.
- Overrated: Alstott. Solid player, just not a Pro Bowl player.
- Underrated: DE Marcus Jones. The move to the left side will make him a much better player.
- Overrated: T Fred Miller. He's an OK player but not what some might think.
- Underrated: LB Randall Godfrey. Proved to be the missing ingredient for the defense.
- Overrated: S Sam Shade. He's good against the run but struggles against the pass.
- Underrated: QB Jeff George. OK, so he's not going to be warm and fuzzy with his teammates. But who throws a better ball?
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