The Pro Football Reference Similar Players tool compares Ryan's five-year peak to that of Joe Theismann. If Anderson had failed, the 49ers may never have lured Walsh away from the Bengals staff. The guy should demand a recount, I tell ya. 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. Ron McDole falls into that final category. If Marlon McCree hadn't fumbled that interception in the playoffs after the 2006 season, everything might have been different. Yet he still led his team to the playoffs three more times. A 1984 Kenn is one of the NFL's all-time great players and leaders, and his impact ranges far beyond his playing career. We went modern with it. Of course, there was Tim Duncan and the Spurs who captured 3 championships of their own in the 2000s after winning one in 1999 the year after MJ left The NFL is now full of receivers like Mason, but few of them are as productive as he was for over a decade. A mauler of a right guard, Timmerman also was agile enough to escort Marshall Faulk on screens and sweeps. Bottom line: In his 15th and final season, the 36-year-old Ken Riley had eight interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns, one of the most incredible performances by an old man ever. Throw in the fact that Blair was maybe the greatest special teams player in NFL history Victory propelled Montana to superstardom, while defeat left the 32-year old Anderson to play out the string as a high-percentage passer for a rapidly disintegrating franchise. Theyre the flat-liners whose drop-dead consistency gets lost with average-to-bad teams, in smaller markets, with brain-challenged organizations that have little, if any, history of success. Corey Maggette 10. WebThe Top 10 Most Improved Players of the 2023 NBA Season Headlines. The franchise now has an estimated value of $3.4 billion, and Bisciotti's net worth has grown to $2.7 billion. Born: April 7, 1969 (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1991-94), Philadelphia Eagles (1995-97), Seattle Seahawks (1998-2001), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1994), five-time Pro Bowl (1992-96), Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team. With the NFL draft fast approaching, were looking at every player selected with the tenth pick since 2000. "I wasnt the fastest guy, but I didnt mind having the defender at my hip," Ellard said per Yahoo Sports. Hes the only quarterback with AFL and NFL titles on his resume and he darn near pulled it off in the Canadian Football League as well. Sideways. Hadl played quarterback, halfback, defensive back and punter for the University of Kansas. Marshall reached just two Pro Bowls. Maybe Rivers takes his place among the all-time greats. WebGreen lead one of the most dynamic offenses of the early 2000s. Jackson probably helped you win a fantasy title or two, but he would be remembered for so much more if he wasn't always on the wrong team at the wrong time. But don't write him off as some 1960s product of the system. Watters was an undisputed winner at every level, winning a national championship at Notre Dame and a Super Bowl with the 49ers. Evans is still playing at a high level; the Packers hope that he can do for Aaron Rodgers what he did for Brees. Mecklenburg anchored Denver's defense with safety Steve Atwater and helped lead Denver to three AFC titles and three Super Bowl losses. But he still finished his career with 133.5 sacks. In the 1950s and the days of 12-game regular seasons, he rushed for 3,078 yards, nearly 1,000 more than the runner-up. Anderson is no Hall of Famerthe middle of his career is a morass of ordinary-at-best seasonsbut he was a pioneer and an innovator. He served as an Ohio state senator from 1986 until retiring from politics in 2000. Put Ellard in another era or even the AFC with an accomplished quarterback, and his legacy as The Best Wideout Not Named Jerry Rice would be that much greater. In 2007, coming off his first time leading the NFL in sacks, Kansas City general manager CArl Peterson chose to reward running back Larry Johnson with a mega-contract instead of Allen, putting the franchise tag on Allen and trading him to the Vikings. Even unspectacular ones manage to rack up a few 1,000-yard seasons and get drafted early in fantasy leagues. He once threw three touchdowns in a shutout victory in a title game. Football Most Underrated College Football Players of All Time By Tony Adame, updated on January 24, 2023 J. Pat Carter / AP Photo It's easy to remember the names of Heisman Trophy winners. Bottom line: Pete Retzlaff was a star running back at South Dakota State but was cut by the Lions in 1953 and didnt make an NFL roster until 1956. And no Hall of Famers allowed. He helped the Packers win a Super Bowl. He was one of the first true slot receivers of 21st-century NFL offenses. Anderson's 1,000-yard seasons came in a primitive offense with a rudimentary passing game. He signed a six-year, $84 million contract in 2018. 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. That voter meant every fanbase has a beloved old defender, renowned for his toughness and leadership, that they swear belongs in the Hall of Fame. He led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in the 1970s but wasn't named to the NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team. Then again, the fourth-round draft pick had no choice. He earned AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. With the Tennessee Titans owning the No. Anderson went on to duel with Walsh and Montana's 49ers in Super Bowl XVI. He led the NFL in interceptions for three seasons, which is tied with Hall of Famer Ed Reed for the NFL record. His 65 interceptions are fifth most in NFL history. McDole was known as "The Dancing Bear" because of his nimble feet, one of the coolest nicknames ever. Born: March 17, 1991 (Rock Hill, South Carolina), College: Hutchinson Community College/Tennessee, Teams: Minnesota Vikings (2013-16), Oakland Raiders (2017), New England Patriots (2018), Chicago Bears (2019-20), Atlanta Falcons (2021-present), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2019), seven-time NFL All-Pro (2013, 2015, 2016, 2018-20), four-time Pro Bowl (2013, 2016, 2019, 2020), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2013), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. On the final play a year later, he picked off a Roger Staubach pass in the end zone that put the Cowboys to rest. More than one scout considered Turner to be too light to play linebacker, too slow to play defensive back. But he didn't play for the legendary 49ers teams. When the Rams finally earned a Super Bowl berth, Robertson was in Buffalo, playing for another playoff also-ran. "No one was going to catch no ball.". He rose to Pro Bowl status playing left tackle for a single-back, Joe Gibbs-style 1980s offense. 
The Lions drafted him as a running back. Here are the ten most underrated players who deserve more attention. Johnny Robinson's credentials make you want to drive to Canton, kick down the Hall of Fame's door and clear a spot for his bust yourself. For this position, Im giving you my Top 20 " NFL Draft Report on Instagram: "Next up in the prospect rankings, the WR position. NFL career: Cleveland Browns (2005-12), New York Jets (2013), Indianapolis Colts (2014) Bottom Line: Josh Cribbs. Related:Most Overrated NFL Players of All Time. It would rank 16th all-time, except that if we allow Marshall's sacks into the record, we would have to make room for Deacon Jones, Mean Joe Greene and others. In all, he was a two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year and played in five Super Bowls, losing every time to set an NFL record. For years, the team couldn't even harken back to its glory days properly, as Smith's Pride of the Jaguars induction was delayed until he was sober and no longer under house arrest. If Morgan had played in a pass-happy offense with a Pro Bowl quarterback and hands-off rules, you would find him in Canton right now. Teams: Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers, Experience: 13 years (1950-59, 1963-64, 1966), AFL All-Star Game appearances: One (1963). Ellard moved on to Washington in 1994 and enjoyed a late-career renaissance, averaging 61 catches and 18.8 yards per reception over a three-year span in his mid-30s. Even pesky third-down backs and gritty fullbacks may seem underrated until you realize how many of them become local heroes. Robertson was one of the NFL's fastest linebackers in the 1970s. In their two Super Bowl seasons that followed, Young was a virtual nonfactor in the matchup. How good were Boldin and Fitzgerald together? Smith wasnt a no-show on third-and-long, either. He clocked a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in 2012. When Da Bears bean counters refused to pay up two years later, Marshall was the odd man out again. ), Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Super Bowl championships: Two (1974, 1975). Nope, not Charles Haley. He's rarely mentioned as an all-time great. Fleming was a reliable backup tight end/wide receiver who played with four Super Bowl-winners (and one NFL champion) in a dozen seasons. He hit two big free throws with six seconds left to give FAU a three-point lead in the Elite Eight. Anchoring defenses with catchy names like the "Orange Crush?" He should be remembered as more than a throwback to the era when Lawrence Welk references were topical. The most underrated player on all 32 NFL teams. Steve Wisniewski played guard on a Raiders team that moved in the middle of his career and was just good enough to remind you it was not in the same class as the great Raiders teams that preceded it. Sam Mills rises above the rest of the gritty linebacker pack, at least when it comes to being underrated, because three of his greatest seasons have been erased from 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. Watters has never been a serious candidate for the Hall of Fame, which can be blamed almost solely on several incidents where he alienated teammates with his bad attitude. In this video, we're diving into the world of basketball and exploring the 5 most underrated players in the NBA today. He covered receivers (38 career interceptions). The Top 10 Most Improved Players of the 2023 NBA Season. And almost nobody remembers that, when Edwards caught the ball, he knew what to do it. acquired the 34-year-old Rams quarterback by, Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images, Pro Football Reference Similar Players tool. In Super Bowl IX, Edwards killed a drive and darn near Vikings intended receiver John Gilliam on a hellacious hit near the goal line. Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Bottom line: Fred Taylor once tweeted, "I earned respect on the field. 
Michael Redd 6. 2. He had 44 career sacks and as many as eight in a season on two occasions. 'Nuff said, right? He played the entire 2007 AFC championship game with a torn ACL. By: Jack Tien-Dana. Of all the players on this list, Jackson might actually be the most underrated. The NFL's superstars He's a seven-time NFL All-Pro, won a Super Bowl, was named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade team and holds NFL records for longest play (109 yards) and most career kickoff returns for touchdowns. Could Jason Kelce join him one day? Roschon Johnson: The Most Underrated Prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. WebBesides the ones I mentioned, Ahman Green, Clinton Portis, Fred Taylor, Tiki Barber, Rudi Johnson, Curtis Martin, Jamal Lewis, Deuce McCallister were all very good players. Robertson is so poorly remembered that it was hard to find a decent photo of him in our archives. "It was tough, but I was happy for those guys," Dunn told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. An all-underrated team like this one can get flooded with Zach Thomas, Hardy Nickerson, Tommy Nobis and Tedy Bruschi types if we don't get a little choosy. Johnny Hekker has been one of the NFL's best punters for the last decade, is a six-time NFL All-Pro, owns the best single-season average for punts with 44.23 yards and has the longest punt in Super Bowl history with a 65-yarder against the New England Patriots. Gore did not get his proper due during his career but was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and should be a shoo-in when he's eligible to join the Hall of Fame in 2026. 
Or as astute NBC broadcaster Dick Enberg scored it, "KO for Ken Norton.". Bottom line: In the Steelers' 3-4 scheme, defensive ends were akin to smaller, more agile tackles run-stoppers first, pass-rushers second. He led his team to an NFL championship. Hes also among a select few to be a four-time Super Bowl champion. Bottom line: Quick, name the winningest Seahawks quarterback before the Russell Wilson era. The Bills were among the first teams to frequently operate without a huddle. The whole story is kind of amazing considering he started his college career at the University of Cincinnati as a running back. McDole played 251 professional games as a defensive lineman, a remarkable feat in any era that should not be forgotten. The Over-the-Hill Gang fielded one of the most ferocious pass rushes of its era, notching 53 sacks in 1973. You mean future Hall of Fame tackle Orlando Pace didnt block four guys all by himself? Guards don't make the Hall of Fame unless they win multiple Super Bowls or play forever. Only kicker in NFL history to hit He just one Pro Bowl but made a big impact on the field for the Rams. But McCree did fumble. Rote was the first quarterback who regularly beat defenses with his legs as well as his arm. Tom Nalen protected John Elway in a pair of Super Bowl victories and helped trigger a zone-blocking revolution as part of Alex Gibbs' influential offensive lines. Tom Jackson. WebAndrews is simply one of the most underrated players in modern NFL history, topping 2,000 scrimmage yards twice but toiling for mostly mediocre Falcons teams. In 10 of the 12 seasons in which he started at least half their games, the Seahawks prevailed more times than not. Web4) Ray Lewis: Widely considered the premier defensive player of his era, Lewis' run from 2000 to '09 began with dominance and ended with back-to-back All-Pro honors. Bottom line: Whatever you think of Philip Rivers, don't ever accuse him of being soft. Rivers lacks several quarterback prerequisites for enshrinement: playoff glory, all-time records and, most importantly, momentum from a regional fanbase and media. It was rival 49ers tackle Bryant Young who the Rams were most concerned about before the 1999 season, when they signed Timmerman as a free agent. Kenny Anderson may be the most "so underrated that he's overrated" player in NFL historya darling of the stat-head community and common first-guy-mentioned when Hall of Fame snubs come up. Super Bowl championships: Four (1981, 1984, 1988, 1989). He accounted for all his teams points in a 15-13 white-knuckler that wrecked the 49ers three-peat bid and sent the Giants to Super Bowl XXV. Efficient? He won 65 percent of his NFL starts. Born: Aug. 25, 1965 (Birmingham, Alabama), Teams: Buffalo Bills (1987-95), Atlanta Falcons (1996-98), Indianapolis Colts (1999-2000), Career highlights: Two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year (1988, 1991), five-time Pro Bowl (1988, 1990-93), three-time All-Pro (1988, 1991, 1992), AFC Defensive Team of the Decade (2000s). 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". 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. Only a dozen players have more career interception return yards (961), and seven of them are in the Hall of Fame. to a Super Bowl in 2009. Butler has never even been a Hall of Fame semifinalist, and it's not going to happen for him soon. Bryant had his best season in 2016, at 41 years old, when he made his only Pro Bowl and led the NFL in scoring. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for The Paolantonio Report: The Most Overrated & Underrated In NFL History Hardcover at the best online prices at eBay! Jeff Saturday had to translate Peyton Manning's spur-of-the-moment audibles into protection schemes a split second before the snap. Maybe that victory gives them the psychological edge they need to beat the undefeated Patriots in their 2008 playoff rematch. Zach McDole's Bills defenses held opponents to fewer than 3.1 yards per carry across three consecutive seasons. Oh, and Norton scored the final touchdown of the game on a 9-yard fumble return. Without Kenn, there might not be free agency in the NFL, to say nothing of limitations on practice conditions and other initiatives that make pro football less dangerous than it was decades ago. But the former NFL Man of the Year award winner and two-time All-Pro should not have had to wait so long. 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