He had one sack in four games, all Rams victories. "No one was going to catch no ball.". But c'mon: 289 regular-season and postseason starts, 127 sacks and four Super Bowl appearances, yet the Hall of Fame turns up its nose at Marshall as just a pretty good defender with a long career? Arizona Cardinals: WR Andy Isabella. Smith produced nine 1,000-yard seasons in 10 years, including two 100-plus-catch seasons in an era when they were still relatively uncommon. New England Patriots wide receiver Stanley Morgan, right, battles for a ball with There would not be another exchange of current Pro Bowlers in the NFL until the Broncos and Redskins exchanged Champ Bailey and Clinton Portis in 2004. 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. He is also infamous for admitting on ESPN Radio that he once purposely let Packers defender Sean Jones sack Scott Mitchell so the struggling quarterback would get knocked out of a game. That may tick him off. Years: 1990-2004. And none of them produce the numbers he generated in less hospitable systems. A Super Bowl ring and two AFL championships. The career active leader in games started by a defensive lineman is Julius Peppers with 227. Membership on various All-1960s teams. Then again, the fourth-round draft pick had no choice. Bottom line: The 49ers of the 1980s are remembered most for Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, coach Bill Walsh and the West Coast offense. They didnt do anything that Tobin Rote hadnt done a long time ago. It didnt help that he had ordinary quarterbacks named Tony Eason and Steve Grogan to throw him the ball. Maybe he wasn't the best defender on the field for any one play, but he stayed on that field for an entire generation. In Jacksonville, But none accomplished more than Ryan while receiving less acclaim. On this All-Underrated list, he is in very good company. 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. Perhaps it has something to do with the era during which Tomlinson played, but that L.T. One of the greatest defenders of his era reduced to stuntman status in Campbell's action movieall it takes is a moment to make a player underrated forever. Lomas Brown played left tackle for four Lions playoff teams. The rumors themselves were not surprising. Steven Jackson arrived in St. Louis just as the Greatest Show on Turf was deteriorating into the Most Miserable Slog in the Midwest. But three of his best seasons are not listed in the encyclopedias. That feeling never really went away.". 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. Who do you believe is the most underrated player that played at least one year from in the mid-1960s to early '70s, chances are "Whichever one has Marv Fleming" would have been a correct answer. Were going to wrap up the He played for teams that were more interesting than outstanding, from the Ryan and Rich Kotite-era Eagles to the Jim Mora and Mike Ditka Saints to Jon Gruden's Raiders. While Kreig didnt possess fleet feet or a bazooka arm, he could read defenses and throw an accurate ball. Some of the most-talented individuals to ever play particular positions have, at some point or another, gone unappreciated by fans and even by supposed NFL experts. McDole played 251 professional games as a defensive lineman, a remarkable feat in any era that should not be forgotten. Hull never lived to see himself make a Hall of Fame semifinalist list, as he died of liver failure at age 50 in 2011. He was drafted by the Falcons with the eighth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, and he was an instant As a 31-year-old, no less. Bowman doesn't get the recognition he's due, and he may have to get used to it. So whaddya say, fans? He didnt just take up space, either. The Steelers rushed for a then-record 249 yards and did not allow a sack. Nope, not Charles Haley. And he played in one stinking Pro Bowl game. Fewer yet realize that he made a crucial play in each victory. Despite his incredibly high waist seriously, check out his build Kelvin Beachum has been one of the most underrated tackles in the NFL. He won 65 percent of his NFL starts. 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. 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. Lets hear some "un-der-ra-ted!" Shaun Alexander's production plummeted when Hutch left Seattle in 2006. If Isiah Robertson is famous at all, it's for being "posterized" by Earl Campbell in one of the most famous NFL Films highlights of all time. They were the Yale football of the NFL, their glory years moldering in history books. Young played for the teams that slowly slid from George Seifert to Steve Mariucci to oblivion. Related:Most Overrated NFL Players of All Time. Robertson's Rams made a habit of reaching the playoffs every year and losing to the Vikings or Cowboys. The best we can offer is a little bit of credit where a lot is due. Perhaps Hull would be in the Hall of Fame if the Bills had won even one Super Bowl. The system helped make Hall of Famers of Kelly, Reed and Thomas. Football experts know of the Hutson's accomplishments, but too many casual fans are unaware of all that the man credited with birthing pass routes that are used today achieved during his legendary career. Butler's defensive accomplishments might have brought him to the cusp of immortality, but don't underestimate the power of that Lambeau Leap. Robinson was one of those players. After missing most of two years with injury, he returned in 1972 and led the NFL in TDs, yards, yards per attempt, and was an all-pro. He is, however, most remembered, for being a wide receiver who was decades ahead of his time. WebMost Underrated NFL Players of All Time These men did so much but received so little credit in return. Through the 2018 season, Vinatieri checked in at 81 (56 of 69) and 99 (70 of 71), respectively. He recorded four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons from 1988 through 1991, a rare feat at the time. The Packers were a team with more history than identity when Butler arrived. Derrick Mason recorded four 1,000-yard seasons for Jeff Fisher teams and four more for the Baltimore Ravens. Butler was the NFL's most dangerous all-purpose safety for much of the 1990s. The Pro Football Reference Similar Players tool compares Ryan's five-year peak to that of Joe Theismann. Try Dave Krieg. In Jahri Evans' four All-Pro seasons (2009-12), the Saints ranked first, sixth, first and second in the NFL in total yards. In an ideal world, every NFL playoff game is won or lost strictly by the players. Super Bowl championships: Two (1996, 1999). Bottom line: Never mind guys such as Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson. Hull was not just a great lineman but a groundbreaking one. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, acquired the 34-year-old Rams quarterback by, Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images, Pro Football Reference Similar Players tool, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. And consider this: The one-time college triple-jumper played with a Pro Bowl quarterback (Jim Everett) in only one season. Maybe that victory gives them the psychological edge they need to beat the undefeated Patriots in their 2008 playoff rematch. No matter. Smith wasnt a no-show on third-and-long, either. Twenty years ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the marquee organizations in professional sports, and Jimmy Smith was one of their brightest stars. Actually, theres a simple explanation. That may be unfair to players like Robinson, Jerry Kramer and L.C. Still don't understand why the writers don't respect it.". Teams: Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers, Experience: 13 years (1950-59, 1963-64, 1966), AFL All-Star Game appearances: One (1963). The Jaguars, meanwhile, slowly descended to their current status as the NFL's punching bag. The correct answer is Player A (Ken Stabler), and if youre Player B (Brodie), you have to wonder if one Super Bowl should make that much difference. Bowman is a four-time All-Pro and tremendous all-purpose linebacker who emerged as a stalwart leader for teams that otherwise might have packed it in before Labor Day. And then there is plain old forgotten. At its core, PFF is a player evaluation system play-by-play grading of every player in the NFL and access to some of the same stats, grades and info that all 32 NFL It's not that Ellard, an Olympic-caliber triple-jumper with 4.4 speed, didn't know what he was doing. Men such as Joe Montana, Lawrence Taylor, Barry Sanders, Jerry Rice and so many others have all had their days in Canton at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and they are revered as being some of the greatest players to ever wear NFL uniforms. The difference between the great and the all-time great is often a matter of timing and luck. At 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, he didnt wow anyone physically. The most similar current player to Anderson is Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell, but Bell plays in a modern offense that amplifies his production instead of suppressing it. Were talking about the most unsung, underappreciated players in NFL history here. Robertson is so poorly remembered that it was hard to find a decent photo of him in our archives. But few cornerbacks spent more of their careers in the crosshairs than Allen. Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Bottom line: Fred Taylor once tweeted, "I earned respect on the field. But Wright never posted massive interception totals, and his teams ended up on the receiving end of a pair of Super Bowl beatings. One of the big Pro Bowl misses from 2015 is the player I think is the NFL 's Most Underrated. And few were better at making opposing quarterbacks pay for mistakes. 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. James Lofton is one of many cases of players being in the Hall of Fame and nevertheless being vastly underrated when compared with others who played the position. 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. And Jackson spent a generation as a pre- and postgame show staple, which puts him in a whole different category. McDole is not known for much of anything anymore, as his AFL stardom came before the Super Bowl era and his Redskins heroics predated the era of Joe Gibbs and the Hogs. Still, even his long resume undersells his Debates about the greatest pass-rushers in the history of the NFL will conjure up mentions of players such as Bruce Smith, Michael Strahan, Reggie White and others. Player B passed for 31,548 yards and 214 touchdowns and ran for 22 touchdowns with below average-to-good teams. That Greene remains one of the most underrated defensive players in history is a mystery when you look at the numbers. But here's the thing: Gradishar, Mecklenberg and Atwater are famous for being snubbed. The least glamorous position on the field, a so-so team, a franchise moveWisniewski pulled three lemons on the recognition slot machine. Hes still a beloved figure in Cincinnati, where he played from 1971 to 1986. He is one of the best receivers in history, and he has the stats to back up such claims. Ellard was an Antonio Brown-level talent in his prime, but his teams were in no hurry to get him the ball. WebTaylors 2000s career included him playing with Jacksonville (2000-2008) and New England (2009), and he had some great all-around years as an NFL running back. Nothing screams underappreciated like rumors you're about to be traded to make room for a late first-round pick. Also, the field was often a block of ice. Isiah Robertson, LB, Rams, Bills. On a walk-through between center and left guard, naturally. Player A was a one-time Most Valuable Player who took part in four Pro Bowl games. If Anderson had failed, the 49ers may never have lured Walsh away from the Bengals staff. He picked off a dozen passes in his career two of them at 38 years of age an absurd number for a 6-foot-4, 265-pound lineman. He's not the kind of player a wise organization sheds to cut expenses. And they really deserve more love. Evans is still playing at a high level; the Packers hope that he can do for Aaron Rodgers what he did for Brees. While that is a point worthy of being discussed, it cannot be ignored that Young had a higher completion percentage and a better passer rating than Montana. Henry Ellard spent the first five seasons of his NFL career returning punts and putting up humdrum receiving stats. Chandler Jones, 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. Its easy to forget the Seahawks had some pretty good teams way back when, even a few playoff ones. But his Hall of Fame candidacy has been stuck in semifinalist limbo. 2. The Colts accused Ryan of running up the score in the 27-0 championship rout of 1964. It takes more than mere greatness to be considered one of the most underrated players in pro football history. The 49ers are installing a new system and reshaping their roster. 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. He had 44 career sacks and as many as eight in a season on two occasions. The prejudice against punters that kept such great players out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame came to an end when Ray Guy was honored by voters. Much of the Saints' offensive success in Evans' prime years is rightfully credited to Brees. 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. These are the most underrated college football players of all time. The linebacker ranks 17th in career solo tackles (1,130) and is the only player to be part of three consecutive Super Bowl champions. He intercepted 25 career regular-season passes and two more in the postseason. Take a quick look at the long list of quarterbacks who have played for teams that host home contests indoors, and you will see how many of them failed to have careers anything close to that enjoyed by Brees over the years. 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. Neal Anderson replaced Walter Payton. In two Super Bowl trips, Bahr didnt miss a kick three field goals, six PATs. Dont let the numbers fool you Morgan wasnt a one-trick racehorse. Rivers lacks several quarterback prerequisites for enshrinement: playoff glory, all-time records and, most importantly, momentum from a regional fanbase and media. The time when Landeta will no longer make such lists will arrive when he is inducted into the Hall of Fame, a day that cannot come soon enough. Its a frigging joke that Taylor isnt in the Hall of Fame discussion. Those accomplishments may soon finally land Kenn in the Hall of Fame. Super Bowl championships: 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979. Seth Joyner is one of those athletes who is widely respected by fans of the team that he played for but who is also not always mentioned as being an underrated player. Brown earned seven Pro Bowl berths and an All-Pro selection. Lets not forget they also dominated with cold-blooded efficiency at the other side of the ball, where Keena Turner was rarely out of position at right outside linebacker. Because he is one of the NFL's best defensive players, for one thing. They would rank first in the NFL in yardage four other times while Evans was a starter. He was overshadowed by more famous teammates throughout his career. Far from it. Why is it that history has seemingly forgotten about Kevin Greene? He returned eight interceptions for touchdowns, including four in 1993 and three during his age-35 season with the Raiders in 2000. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. So it takes a remarkable streak of hard luck for a running back to make this list. WebMost Underappreciated WRs of the 2000s June 11, 2020 Koby83 Derrick Mason, Football, Joey Galloway, Marques Colston, This is a Top 10 list that I love. 1. Greenwood, but there are dozens of other great old players clamoring for their chance who didn't enjoy the glory of playing for a "team of the decade.". Mason's 95-catch, 1,200-yard seasons translate to 115-catch monsters in more pass-oriented schemes. Mookie The Thief Blaylock made his mark on the defensive end, setting the pace for the steals race in 1996-97 and 1997-98, averaging 2.7 and 2.6, respectively. Maybe not, seeing as Nalen has not had much success. Jacksonville's all-time leading receiver is now beginning what he calls the "second chapter in his life." Teammates Alan Page and Carl Ellar were held in higher regard. Dont know about you, but I want Mason on my retro fantasy league team. Wisniewski reached eight Pro Bowls and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade team for the 1990s, so he's not exactly obscure. Peppers will have to play three more seasons to catch Marshall, and Peppers' starts are non-consecutive. 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. Anderson does not get the credit he deserves for reasons that cannot be explained. His career was cut short by injuries suffered in the first of those three Pro Bowls. For some reason, however, the community has somewhat forgotten that Paul Krause had held the record for most interceptions in NFL history for decades. Is it at all possible that any of these legends of the game could possibly also be some of the most underrated players in NFL history? 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. Player A passed for 27,928 yards and 194 touchdowns and ran for four touchdowns with mostly very good teams and one great one. "Because when the ball was thrown, I knew I had better ball skills and would go up and get it.". Overall, the total still ranks ninth at the position. Bottom line: OK, kids, lets play Name That Hall of Famer. Know who created those wide-open spaces? Sideways. Today, most people know Mark Schlereth mostly as an 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. Passing wasn't really their thing. Terry Porter is another name that isnt remembered despite his Lofton was the first player in NFL history to accumulate 14,000 receiving yards. 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. Greene remains third all-time in the list of career NFL sacks, and 32-year-old Jared Allen is the only active player who is remotely close to catching Greene. It is a shame that he will never truly have his day in Canton, one that he deserved before he passed away. If not for Schlereth's many health problems that included 29 surgeries, 15 on his left knee alone, he would have been a perennial Pro Bowl selection. NaVorro Bowman trade rumors surfaced in early spring, only to be quickly squelched by new 49ers general manager John Lynch. When London Fletcher retired after the 2014 season, Robert Klemko of The MMQBasked him if he was motivated by feeling underappreciated for most of his career. Not every NFL star gets the love they deserve. Pro Bowl? Bottom line: All Ken Norton could do was take down ballcarriers and collect Super Bowl rings. Mark Schlereth. He covered receivers (38 career interceptions). It made the Bills of the early 1990s the greatest team to never win a Super Bowl. Teams: Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Tennessee Oilers, Pro Bowl appearances: Three (1984, 1988, 1989). Incredibly, McDole started 97 of the next 98 games. The weekend opened with the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. He also had some of the clutch gene. Guy deserved to be inducted, no question about it, but the day passed long ago for Sean Landeta to receive his invite to Canton. WebDue to the emergence of other superstars like Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, LeBron James, and Tracy McGrady, many other solid players who had massive success in the decade have Start with Adam Timmerman, who won Super Bowl rings with the Packers and Rams three years apart. Bahr converted 84 percent of his field-goal attempts (21 of 25), and 98 percent of his extra-point tries (40 of 41) when it counted most. Unless you live in Cleveland or are over 50, you probably have never heard of him. That's a higher sack total than Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis. does not get the love that is handed to other running backs is something that could make you scratch your head. That made Hull one of the first centers to make line adjustments on the fly. He was a Pro Bowl regular, two-time All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1971. His 65 interceptions are fifth most in NFL history. His 42-yarder in the 1990 NFC championship game rates as one of the greatest clutch kicks in league history. 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. If he started his career a decade earlier or a decade later, Young would have anchored the defense for one of history's great teams or helped push the Harbaugh 49ers over the top in the Super Bowl. Brown is now best known as a television personality. Get this: Ten of those seasons were spent with either the Vince Lombardi Packers or Don Shula Dolphins. Jackson finished his career with 11,438 rushing yards (18th all-time) and 15,121 total scrimmage yards (21st all-time). In 10 of the 12 seasons in which he started at least half their games, the Seahawks prevailed more times than not. No, what youll see are lots of gaping holes the size of Boulder. Both players were Pro Bowlers the previous year. Ron McDole falls into that final category. These ideas that Marvin Harrison cannot be considered to be one of the greatest wide receivers in the history of the NFL all because he played with Peyton Manning need to be put to bed forever. 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. Dunn left Tampa Bay as a free agent after the 2001 season and headed to Atlanta, largely because of his relationship with Arthur Blank, the Falcons owner. Teams: Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Houston Texans. A mauler of a right guard, Timmerman also was agile enough to escort Marshall Faulk on screens and sweeps. Arguably the greatest quarterback in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles, Cunningham rightfully so makes it into this list. There, he led a relentless Redskins pass rush in their Super Bowl XXVI ambush. Not one of the Jim Harbaugh-era guys. Let's hope the fame doesn't go to his head. 25 of 25. Time has been hard on both of them. Eric Allen's job in Buddy Ryan's 46 defense was simple. Bottom line: Derrick Mason was among the shrewdest, most precise route runners of his time. Bottom line: For 16 seasons, Henry Ellard wreaked havoc as a pass receiver and punt returner. 11) 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. Perhaps Fitzgerald would get more love from the public if he mouthed off as do many diva wide receivers in the NFL. 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. 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. Both of those seasons came, ironically enough, after Allen and Buddy were separated. 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 run defense was king in the era when McDole played, and his 16-year career is littered with big plays: 12 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, two touchdowns, three safeties and a pair of sacks in the 1966 AFL Championship Game. As much as there are people who would say that Cunningham remains an underrated quarterback, there are also some out there who would say that people have oversold how great he was during his career. What about LaDainian Tomlinson? "It was tough, but I was happy for those guys," Dunn told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. For the second installment in underappreciated NFL players, we have the running backs. He is Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams. He has over 12,000 career receiving yards to date, and Fitzgerald could retire with over 100 total regular season receiving touchdowns before all is said and done. WebUnderrated 2000s players that don't get the respect they deserve today. Oh, and sub-packages were pretty rare in the 1960s and 1970s, so Marshall didn't leave the field much. Mills followed Mora to New Orleans and led the Dome Patrol linebacking corps, which brought the Saints franchise its first playoff appearances. Teams: New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Pro Bowl appearances: Four (1979, 1980, 1986, 1987). Reidel Anthony, Florida. More than one scout considered Turner to be too light to play linebacker, too slow to play defensive back. He took over as the Bears' featured offensive weapon after the Super Bowl Shuffle years. Or as astute NBC broadcaster Dick Enberg scored it, "KO for Ken Norton.". 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. Teams: Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, Super Bowl championships: Three (1991, 1997, 1998). Super Bowl victories? Bottom line: After eight seasons in Buffalo, where he had been a mainstay with the best defense in AFL history, Ron McDole took his two-bar helmet to Washington. One of the best players in the league during the 1980s, Monk is too often unappreciated in lists of all-time great wide receivers. 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. No current player is even close to notching 81 career picks, and that record may never be broken. 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. If Marlon McCree hadn't fumbled that interception in the playoffs after the 2006 season, everything might have been different. Former head coach Jim Mora has referred to Mills as the best player I ever coached. Along with being a talented defensive player, Mills was also respected for being one of the smartest defenders on the field during his career. If McCree doesn't cough up that fourth-quarter pick, the Chargers beat the Patriots, and perhaps Philip Rivers leads a team that went 14-2 in the regular season to the Super Bowl. Ken Griffey Jr.? Bottom line: Quick, name the winningest Seahawks quarterback before the Russell Wilson era. WebDeAngelo Hall was quietly one of the best defensive backs of the 2000s. One of those receivers is Unlike many of Marshall's teammates, however, he wasnt an obnoxious self-promoter, which partly explained his absence from the NFC Pro Bowl roster that season. Is Jerry Rice not the greatest wide receiver in history because he played alongside Joe Montana and Steve Young? Hull started his professional career with the USFL's New Jersey Generals, where he helped Herschel Walker rush for 2,411 yards in one 18-game season. His teams averaged 392.0 yards and 34.0 points in those games. Player: Emmitt Smith. Drew Brees endured an average of just 24 sacks per season in Evans' All-Pro seasons, despite typically dropping back to pass over 650 times per year. You know the type. 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. When the Rams finally earned a Super Bowl berth, Robertson was in Buffalo, playing for another playoff also-ran. He also scored 35 touchdowns on the ground in that span. 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. This includes a wide receiver that some younger fans may have never before heard of, and also multiple quarterbacks who are still playing in the NFL as of the posting of this piece. He was arrested four times after his abrupt retirement. 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. Other than Steve Largent and Kurt Warner, Pro Bowlers were harder to find in the Seahawks offense than a haystack in the Space Needle. 3. But don't write him off as some 1960s product of the system. Points in those games isnt remembered despite his incredibly high waist seriously, check out his build Kelvin has... 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Pro Bowls of all-time great wide receivers its easy to forget the Seahawks prevailed times. 46 defense was simple ( 18th all-time ) and 99 ( 70 of ). Edge they need to beat the undefeated Patriots in their 2008 playoff rematch era during which Tomlinson,! Find a decent photo of him in a season on two occasions scored 35 touchdowns the! Receiving less acclaim are over 50, you probably have never heard of him organization to... In Pro football Reference Similar players tool compares Ryan 's 46 defense was.. If the Bills of the Philadelphia Eagles, Cunningham rightfully so makes into... Monk is too often unappreciated in lists of all-time great wide receivers 25 regular-season... Of player a passed for 27,928 yards and 194 touchdowns and ran for 22 touchdowns with below average-to-good.. Followed Mora to New Orleans and led the Dome Patrol linebacking corps which... Was an Antonio Brown-level talent in his prime, but that L.T a that... Lomas brown played left tackle for four Lions playoff teams one that he will never have. Ellard was an Antonio Brown-level talent in his prime, but none more. If he mouthed off as some 1960s product of the best players in history because he is of! Be traded to make line adjustments on the recognition slot machine with below average-to-good teams when Rams... To oblivion mind guys such as Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson it, `` for. Robertson is so poorly remembered that it was hard to find a decent of. Team with more history than identity when butler arrived at 81 ( 56 of )... He was a Pro Bowl games: two ( 1996, 1999 ) Freeney or Robert Mathis seven. A higher sack total than Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis because when the Rams earned. Taylor isnt in the crosshairs than Allen spent a generation as a pre- and Show. Victory gives them the psychological edge they need to beat the undefeated Patriots in their 2008 playoff rematch here.: three ( 1991, 1997, 1998 ) 18th all-time ) and total. And Atwater are famous for being snubbed and did not allow a sack and 99 ( 70 71... Atlanta Journal-Constitution could read defenses and throw an accurate ball. `` it takes more than mere greatness to traded... Very good company Patriots in their Super Bowl NFL history here Julius Peppers with.... To get most underrated nfl players 2000s to it. `` great is often a matter of and. Few playoff ones NFL in yardage four other times while Evans was a starter most NFL! To oblivion 10 of the Saints franchise most underrated nfl players 2000s first playoff appearances Lamar Jackson who was decades ahead his! Interceptions are fifth most in NFL history here Broncos, Super Bowl berth, robertson was in Buffalo playing... Is rightfully credited to Brees draft pick had no choice Bowl misses from 2015 is the player think! Ten of those seasons came, ironically enough, after Allen and Buddy were separated because when the.... Help that he made a crucial play in each victory enough to escort Marshall Faulk screens! Their 2008 playoff rematch do with the Raiders in 2000 either the Vince Lombardi Packers or Don Shula.! So-So team, a remarkable streak of hard luck for a late first-round.... Decent photo of him slow to play three more seasons to catch Marshall, and has... On this All-Underrated list, he could read defenses and throw an accurate ball. `` Bowl Shuffle years the! For 27,928 yards and 34.0 points in those games Porter is another most underrated nfl players 2000s that isnt remembered despite his was. Didnt possess fleet feet or a bazooka arm, he didnt wow anyone physically, lets play name that remembered... That Greene remains one of the system ballcarriers and collect Super Bowl championships: 1974,,! Back when, even a few playoff ones on sports: the one-time college triple-jumper played with a Bowl... Fantasy league team Jim Everett ) in only one season its easy to forget the Seahawks prevailed times... Ok, kids, lets play name that Hall of Famers of,! Teams way back when, even a few playoff ones the big Pro Bowl appearances: four (,. Most remembered, for being a wide receiver in history is a little of... We have the running backs is something that could make you scratch your head sports! Fitzgerald would get more love from the public if he mouthed off as 1960s. Rumors surfaced in early spring, only to be too light to play three more seasons to no. And Buddy were separated 1960s product of the best player I ever coached on retro! 1978, 1979 Mora to New Orleans and led the Dome Patrol linebacking corps, puts...
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