ThunderCard
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I know the Cards piece was clipped on here the other day, but wanted to throw out all the 32 teams. Hope it is not a repost
Robin Hood of hype: Take from unworthy, give to the deserving
Pete Prisco July 6, 2006
By Pete Prisco
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Pete your opinion!
They go about their business with little of the adulation many of their brethren receive. Yet the coaches and scouts around the NFL -- as well as the opponents they face each and every week -- know who they are and what they can do.
"Underrated" is their first name.
In a league where the glare of stardom shines on some, there are many players who don't get their due. So each summer at CBS SportsLine.com, we do something about it: We ferret out the most underrated players on each of the 32 teams. In doing so, we also come up with the most underrated of them all.
Of course, there's a flip side. For every underrated player, there's an overrated companion. So we've come up with one of those for every team, too. Many of those names you will recognize.
Some of our underrated, you won't.
So who's the most underrated player in the league heading into 2006?
Anybody hear of Ian Scott? He's a starting defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears. He also plays next to Tommie Harris, who gets all the attention.
Scott should get more. He is a 305-pound power player in the middle of the Bears line -- and gets overshadowed by Harris. Scott had 27 tackles last season to 32 for Harris. He didn't have a sack, while Harris had three, but -- based on press coverage -- you'd think there was a huge difference between the two.
There isn't.
A fourth-year player from Florida, Scott is one of those blue-collar guys that great defenses need. He takes up blockers, freeing linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs to do their thing. Keep an eye on Scott this season. You'll see what we mean.
So who's the league's most overrated? There are a lot of name players to choose from, but the winner is Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams. He isn't nearly as good as his reputation, which is Lone Star big.
Who's in the background, eating Santana Moss' dust? Why, it's Pro Bowl safety Roy Williams.
Williams played in his third consecutive Pro Bowl after the 2005 season, but he certainly hasn't performed to that level. Williams is a good hitter when in the box, but he struggles in coverage, which is why teams were able to exploit the Cowboys with some big plays last season.
Anyone who saw the Cowboys blow that Monday night game to the Redskins saw that Williams can be trouble in coverage. The Redskins twice threw over the top of him for fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Sure, he makes those highlight hits. But for every one of those, there's two misses in coverage. That's not good enough.
There is no way he's a better safety than Adrian Wilson of the Cardinals or Sean Taylor of the Redskins, two players who should have gone to the Pro Bowl ahead of Williams.
Those two, by the way, are among our 32 underrated players.
It might not be the Pro Bowl, nor do we give them a trip to Hawaii, but at least they can take satisfaction in knowing somebody appreciates what they do.
After all, it has to get tiring having "Underrated" as a first name.
Now for the choices:
Arizona Cardinals
Overrated: Running back Edgerrin James is a good, solid back, but he doesn't have game-breaking ability. The Cardinals needed him, and he will be productive, but he isn't the back his reputation would lead you to believe.
Underrated: Safety Adrian Wilson has not been to the Pro Bowl. That's a sham. He's one of the best safeties in the game.
Atlanta Falcons
Overrated: Quarterback Michael Vick is considered by some to be a top 10 player. He isn't in that class. Vick can get there if he improves his passing, but until then he's still just an amazing athlete playing quarterback, rather than a top-tier quarterback.
Underrated: Fullback Justin Griffith can block and catch and yet nobody mentions him as an elite fullback. Somebody has to open those holes for that running game.
Baltimore Ravens
Overrated: Cornerback Chris McAlister was close to reaching the elite level of corners a couple of years back, but his play has tailed off. He needs to rebound this season.
Underrated: Linebacker Bart Scott played well when given a chance last season and will be a full-time starter in 2006. Scott plays the run well and will fit in nicely next to Ray Lewis after playing his position last year when Lewis was hurt.
Buffalo Bills
Overrated: Strong-side linebacker Jeff Posey had a good year in 2004, but he didn't do much last season. He struggles in coverage and there's a chance he could lose his job,
Underrated: Right tackle Jason Peters is a former tight end who is learning the position. He has outstanding athletic ability and is already the best player on the Bills line. He can be a Pro Bowl tackle.
Carolina Panthers
Overrated: Middle linebacker Dan Morgan is a good player when he's on the field. But he hasn't played a full season yet. Until he does, he's the player in this category.
Underrated: Cornerback Ken Lucas should have been a Pro Bowl pick last season. In his first with the Panthers, Lucas was better than expected. He teams with Chris Gamble to form an elite corner pair.
Chicago Bears
Overrated: At 33, receiver Muhsin Muhammad is slowing down. That's not a good thing because he never had big-play speed. The Bears paid way too much to sign him as a free agent and he wasn't the player they thought he'd be. Bad quarterback play hurt, but the pressure is on Muhammad to produce.
Underrated: For the second consecutive year, Scott takes this category for the Bears. Scott doesn't have the athletic ability of Harris, but he makes up for it with desire.
Cincinnati Bengals
Overrated: Rudi Johnson is a decent back, but he doesn’t have the big-play speed. It's clear that backup Chris Perry brings more to the offense when he's in the game. Look for him to get more time this season.
Underrated: Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh doesn't have blazing speed, but he knows how to get open. He had 78 catches and seven touchdown receptions in 2005. Not bad for a guy who scouts wondered could play in the league.
Cleveland Browns
Overrated: The Browns paid a lot of money to make Kevin Shaffer their left tackle. He's more of a right tackle and he has issues with speed rushers. That could be a problem.
Underrated: Corner Leigh Bodden stepped in for the injured Gary Baxter last season and really impressed the Browns staff. He will push for a starting job with Daylon McCutcheon this season.
Dallas Cowboys
Overrated: Williams is a good player when near the line of scrimmage, but he can't be called a top-tier safety because he struggles so much in coverage. He's a decent, not great player. His reputation would lead you to believe he was great.
Underrated: Drew Bledsoe is one of those quarterbacks who always gets picked apart, no matter what he does. But he had a heck of a year for the Cowboys, throwing for 3,639 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Denver Broncos
Overrated: Safety John Lynch played much better in 2005 when he was closer to the line of scrimmage, but he still isn't the player many think. He is a liability in coverage. Age is now a factor.
Underrated: Defensive tackle Michael Myers started all of last season, his first with the team, and played better than expected. He isn't a great player, but he does enough to warrant a starting position.
Detroit Lions
Overrated: Guard Damien Woody should be better than he is, based on his athletic ability. Weight issues prevent him from being a dominant player.
Underrated: Receiver Scottie Vines caught 40 passes last season, and is scheduled to start in '06. That's impressive when you consider both Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, the guys behind him, were first-round picks.
Green Bay Packers
Overrated: Quarterback Brett Favre is still a good quarterback, but he's no longer great. He struggled last year, and some of it had to do with a depleted supporting cast, but at 37 he's not what he once was -- no matter what a certain four-letter network would lead you to believe.
Underrated: Corner Charles Woodson is one of those players that fans and scouts love to tear apart. The reality is Woodson, who turns 30 in October, is still one of the better cover corners when he's on the field. Health issues have been a concern, but he's still a good corner.
Houston Texans
Overrated: Eric Moulds caught 81 passes for the Bills last season, but his per-catch average of 10.1 tied for the lowest of his career. That's a sign of a slowdown. The Texans like him as a No. 2 receiver, but if he slows down even more they might not get that out of him. He is no longer a top receiver.
Underrated: In his four seasons, David Carr has not yet lived up to the hype. But a lot of that has to do with a supporting cast. He now has a good one. Look for Carr to move to the next level. He's a better quarterback than people think.
Indianapolis Colts
Overrated: Safety Mike Doss goes into the season as the starter opposite Bob Sanders. But the Colts have to do everything they can to replace him. Doss is a liability in coverage, which shows up in a big way.
Underrated: Defensive tackle Raheem Brock doesn't get a lot of due, but shows up and plays hard each week. He moves inside from end this year, which would seem like a natural fit. Teams need players like this.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Overrated: Safety Donovin Darius is good near the line of scrimmage, but get him in coverage and you'll likely see a spinning top. Plus, he's coming off ACL surgery.
Underrated: Middle linebacker Mike Peterson is a tackling machine. He is an active player who benefits from playing behind the best tackle tandem in the league, and he uses that to his advantage.
Kansas City Chiefs
Overrated: Strong safety Sammy Knight brings a pop now and then, but he just doesn't have the foot speed to help in coverage. Teams pick on him too much. He's an old-school safety in a new era of defensive football.
Underrated: Quarterback Trent Green continues to put up impressive numbers. He threw for 4,014 yards last season, a number more impressive when one considers the outside receivers don't have a lot to offer.
Miami Dolphins
Overrated: Will Allen has the look of a Pro Bowl corner, but he just doesn't seem to play the ball well. Allen comes to the Dolphins as a free agent from the New York Giants.
Underrated: Center Rex Hadnot moves over from guard and should upgrade that position. Hadnot is a tough guy who might have been the Dolphins' best lineman in 2005.
Minnesota Vikings
Overrated: The Vikings paid a lot of money to sign running back Chester Taylor, but is he really a No. 1 back? Taylor has never been the go-to guy and there are some scouts who wonder if he can be. Yet you look at some preseason rankings, and you'd swear it was Jamal Lewis the Vikings signed.
Underrated: Receiver Koren Robinson had tremendous potential when he came into the league, but off-the-field issues never allowed him to show it. Now that he's working on moving away from those issues -- his agent says his recent return to a rehab facility was voluntary and "proactive" -- Robinson is now a legitimate big-play receiver and return man.
New England Patriots
Overrated: Running back Corey Dillon is nearing the end. He had trouble with injuries last year and his numbers dropped off. Rookie Laurence Maroney will key the running game.
Underrated: Tight end Ben Watson is ready to join the elite of his position. Watson caught 29 passes last season and he will at least double that this season.
New Orleans Saints
Overrated: Quarterback Drew Brees had a few good seasons in San Diego, but he's a system passer who lacks a big arm. And he's coming off shoulder surgery. The Saints paid way too much to get him.
Underrated: Defensive end Will Smith is on the verge of becoming a star. He showed a nice burst in his second year in the league and could put up a 15-sack season.
New York Giants
Overrated: Tight end Jeremy Shockey is a good player, but he should be a great one. He needs more focus. If that happens, watch out. Until then, he's not as good as many think.
Underrated: Guard Chris Snee is a nasty mauler who will soon be a Pro Bowl player. He won't back down from anyone and he's key to getting Tiki Barber all those yards.
New York Jets
Overrated: Running back Curtis Martin has been an all-time Jets great. But it's over. Martin is no longer an elite back and it showed last season when he rushed for a career-low 735 yards.
Underrated: Defensive end Shaun Ellis doesn't get a lot of attention, but he simply goes out and makes plays. He should be comfortable playing end in the new 3-4 scheme.
Oakland Raiders
Overrated: The Raiders have not had the return on investment they hoped when they took offensive tackle Robert Gallery with the second overall pick in '04. He moves from the right side to the left side -- his more natural spot -- so that could help. But he isn't in the elite class the Raiders hoped he'd join.
Underrated: Playing next to Warren Sapp, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly has developed into a solid player. Kelly, a third-year player from Mississippi State, is a 300-pound force in the middle who has a quick first step.
Philadelphia Eagles
Overrated: Defensive end Jevon Kearse isn't the player he was with the Titans. He doesn't have the same burst and opponents don't have to account for on every play. He's still pretty good, but no longer an elite pass rusher.
Underrated: Right guard Shawn Andrews is developing into one of the better guards in the NFC. He can overpower an opponent.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Overrated: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a good player, but you'd think by winning the Super Bowl he's a great one. He still has a ways to go to get to that level. He needs to do a better job of reading the entire field.
Underrated: Cornerback Ike Taylor made big strides last season. He could be ready to make the Pro Bowl push. He has all the tools.
St. Louis Rams
Overrated: Receiver Isaac Bruce is coming to the end of his career. He had just 36 catches last season, yet the Rams chose to re-sign him. Injuries slowed him some, but age is now an issue and Kevin Curtis could push for his job.
Underrated: Running back Steven Jackson is coming off a 1,000-yard season, which is OK, but he didn't carry it enough. In the new system, he will, which is why he could lead the league in rushing.
San Diego Chargers
Overrated: Outside linebacker Steve Foley is good at rushing the passer, but he struggles in coverage. The Chargers hide him some in their scheme, but when it shows up it isn't pretty.
Underrated: Defensive end Luis Castillo was overshadowed by fellow rookie Shawne Merriman last season, but was good as a rookie starter. Castillo will only get better in 2006.
San Francisco 49ers
Overrated: When the 49ers overpaid to sign left tackle Jonas Jennings last year, it was a questionable move. Now we see why. Jennings had his season cut short by a shoulder injury, but when he was on the field he was far from dominant.
Underrated: The 49ers love what they've seen from receiver Antonio Bryant, who signed as a free agent. Bryant talks a big game, but he also backs it up. He will prove to be an excellent acquisition.
Seattle Seahawks
Overrated: The Seahawks think linebacker Julian Peterson will be the missing ingredient on their defense. Peterson is a good player, but injury issues have eroded his skills. He is no longer a top 25 player, as some might think.
Underrated: Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard had 8½ sacks last season and became a starter in the process. He has great quickness up the field.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Overrated: Fullback Mike Alstott is coming to the end of his career, but he's been overrated his entire career.
Underrated: Cornerback Brian Kelly doesn't get the attention Ronde Barber does on the other side, but he's a solid cover corner. He is perfect for what the Bucs want to do.
Tennessee Titans
Overrated: Receiver David Givens is good, but he certainly isn't an elite receiver, yet the Titans are paying him like one.
Underrated: Free safety Chris Hope was a big reason why the Steelers were able to play Troy Polamalu near the line of scrimmage last season. Hope has great range and will help the Titans defense a bunch.
Washington Redskins
Overrated: Safety Adam Archuleta is a big hitter who has made some big plays, but he is a liability in coverage and isn't worth the money the 'Skins paid him.
Underrated: Fellow safety Sean Taylor is a monster player whose talent has been overshadowed by his off-field incident. He's an elite safety.
Robin Hood of hype: Take from unworthy, give to the deserving
Pete Prisco July 6, 2006
By Pete Prisco
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Pete your opinion!
They go about their business with little of the adulation many of their brethren receive. Yet the coaches and scouts around the NFL -- as well as the opponents they face each and every week -- know who they are and what they can do.
"Underrated" is their first name.
In a league where the glare of stardom shines on some, there are many players who don't get their due. So each summer at CBS SportsLine.com, we do something about it: We ferret out the most underrated players on each of the 32 teams. In doing so, we also come up with the most underrated of them all.
Of course, there's a flip side. For every underrated player, there's an overrated companion. So we've come up with one of those for every team, too. Many of those names you will recognize.
Some of our underrated, you won't.
So who's the most underrated player in the league heading into 2006?
Anybody hear of Ian Scott? He's a starting defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears. He also plays next to Tommie Harris, who gets all the attention.
Scott should get more. He is a 305-pound power player in the middle of the Bears line -- and gets overshadowed by Harris. Scott had 27 tackles last season to 32 for Harris. He didn't have a sack, while Harris had three, but -- based on press coverage -- you'd think there was a huge difference between the two.
There isn't.
A fourth-year player from Florida, Scott is one of those blue-collar guys that great defenses need. He takes up blockers, freeing linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs to do their thing. Keep an eye on Scott this season. You'll see what we mean.
So who's the league's most overrated? There are a lot of name players to choose from, but the winner is Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams. He isn't nearly as good as his reputation, which is Lone Star big.
Who's in the background, eating Santana Moss' dust? Why, it's Pro Bowl safety Roy Williams.
Williams played in his third consecutive Pro Bowl after the 2005 season, but he certainly hasn't performed to that level. Williams is a good hitter when in the box, but he struggles in coverage, which is why teams were able to exploit the Cowboys with some big plays last season.
Anyone who saw the Cowboys blow that Monday night game to the Redskins saw that Williams can be trouble in coverage. The Redskins twice threw over the top of him for fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Sure, he makes those highlight hits. But for every one of those, there's two misses in coverage. That's not good enough.
There is no way he's a better safety than Adrian Wilson of the Cardinals or Sean Taylor of the Redskins, two players who should have gone to the Pro Bowl ahead of Williams.
Those two, by the way, are among our 32 underrated players.
It might not be the Pro Bowl, nor do we give them a trip to Hawaii, but at least they can take satisfaction in knowing somebody appreciates what they do.
After all, it has to get tiring having "Underrated" as a first name.
Now for the choices:
Arizona Cardinals
Overrated: Running back Edgerrin James is a good, solid back, but he doesn't have game-breaking ability. The Cardinals needed him, and he will be productive, but he isn't the back his reputation would lead you to believe.
Underrated: Safety Adrian Wilson has not been to the Pro Bowl. That's a sham. He's one of the best safeties in the game.
Atlanta Falcons
Overrated: Quarterback Michael Vick is considered by some to be a top 10 player. He isn't in that class. Vick can get there if he improves his passing, but until then he's still just an amazing athlete playing quarterback, rather than a top-tier quarterback.
Underrated: Fullback Justin Griffith can block and catch and yet nobody mentions him as an elite fullback. Somebody has to open those holes for that running game.
Baltimore Ravens
Overrated: Cornerback Chris McAlister was close to reaching the elite level of corners a couple of years back, but his play has tailed off. He needs to rebound this season.
Underrated: Linebacker Bart Scott played well when given a chance last season and will be a full-time starter in 2006. Scott plays the run well and will fit in nicely next to Ray Lewis after playing his position last year when Lewis was hurt.
Buffalo Bills
Overrated: Strong-side linebacker Jeff Posey had a good year in 2004, but he didn't do much last season. He struggles in coverage and there's a chance he could lose his job,
Underrated: Right tackle Jason Peters is a former tight end who is learning the position. He has outstanding athletic ability and is already the best player on the Bills line. He can be a Pro Bowl tackle.
Carolina Panthers
Overrated: Middle linebacker Dan Morgan is a good player when he's on the field. But he hasn't played a full season yet. Until he does, he's the player in this category.
Underrated: Cornerback Ken Lucas should have been a Pro Bowl pick last season. In his first with the Panthers, Lucas was better than expected. He teams with Chris Gamble to form an elite corner pair.
Chicago Bears
Overrated: At 33, receiver Muhsin Muhammad is slowing down. That's not a good thing because he never had big-play speed. The Bears paid way too much to sign him as a free agent and he wasn't the player they thought he'd be. Bad quarterback play hurt, but the pressure is on Muhammad to produce.
Underrated: For the second consecutive year, Scott takes this category for the Bears. Scott doesn't have the athletic ability of Harris, but he makes up for it with desire.
Cincinnati Bengals
Overrated: Rudi Johnson is a decent back, but he doesn’t have the big-play speed. It's clear that backup Chris Perry brings more to the offense when he's in the game. Look for him to get more time this season.
Underrated: Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh doesn't have blazing speed, but he knows how to get open. He had 78 catches and seven touchdown receptions in 2005. Not bad for a guy who scouts wondered could play in the league.
Cleveland Browns
Overrated: The Browns paid a lot of money to make Kevin Shaffer their left tackle. He's more of a right tackle and he has issues with speed rushers. That could be a problem.
Underrated: Corner Leigh Bodden stepped in for the injured Gary Baxter last season and really impressed the Browns staff. He will push for a starting job with Daylon McCutcheon this season.
Dallas Cowboys
Overrated: Williams is a good player when near the line of scrimmage, but he can't be called a top-tier safety because he struggles so much in coverage. He's a decent, not great player. His reputation would lead you to believe he was great.
Underrated: Drew Bledsoe is one of those quarterbacks who always gets picked apart, no matter what he does. But he had a heck of a year for the Cowboys, throwing for 3,639 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Denver Broncos
Overrated: Safety John Lynch played much better in 2005 when he was closer to the line of scrimmage, but he still isn't the player many think. He is a liability in coverage. Age is now a factor.
Underrated: Defensive tackle Michael Myers started all of last season, his first with the team, and played better than expected. He isn't a great player, but he does enough to warrant a starting position.
Detroit Lions
Overrated: Guard Damien Woody should be better than he is, based on his athletic ability. Weight issues prevent him from being a dominant player.
Underrated: Receiver Scottie Vines caught 40 passes last season, and is scheduled to start in '06. That's impressive when you consider both Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, the guys behind him, were first-round picks.
Green Bay Packers
Overrated: Quarterback Brett Favre is still a good quarterback, but he's no longer great. He struggled last year, and some of it had to do with a depleted supporting cast, but at 37 he's not what he once was -- no matter what a certain four-letter network would lead you to believe.
Underrated: Corner Charles Woodson is one of those players that fans and scouts love to tear apart. The reality is Woodson, who turns 30 in October, is still one of the better cover corners when he's on the field. Health issues have been a concern, but he's still a good corner.
Houston Texans
Overrated: Eric Moulds caught 81 passes for the Bills last season, but his per-catch average of 10.1 tied for the lowest of his career. That's a sign of a slowdown. The Texans like him as a No. 2 receiver, but if he slows down even more they might not get that out of him. He is no longer a top receiver.
Underrated: In his four seasons, David Carr has not yet lived up to the hype. But a lot of that has to do with a supporting cast. He now has a good one. Look for Carr to move to the next level. He's a better quarterback than people think.
Indianapolis Colts
Overrated: Safety Mike Doss goes into the season as the starter opposite Bob Sanders. But the Colts have to do everything they can to replace him. Doss is a liability in coverage, which shows up in a big way.
Underrated: Defensive tackle Raheem Brock doesn't get a lot of due, but shows up and plays hard each week. He moves inside from end this year, which would seem like a natural fit. Teams need players like this.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Overrated: Safety Donovin Darius is good near the line of scrimmage, but get him in coverage and you'll likely see a spinning top. Plus, he's coming off ACL surgery.
Underrated: Middle linebacker Mike Peterson is a tackling machine. He is an active player who benefits from playing behind the best tackle tandem in the league, and he uses that to his advantage.
Kansas City Chiefs
Overrated: Strong safety Sammy Knight brings a pop now and then, but he just doesn't have the foot speed to help in coverage. Teams pick on him too much. He's an old-school safety in a new era of defensive football.
Underrated: Quarterback Trent Green continues to put up impressive numbers. He threw for 4,014 yards last season, a number more impressive when one considers the outside receivers don't have a lot to offer.
Miami Dolphins
Overrated: Will Allen has the look of a Pro Bowl corner, but he just doesn't seem to play the ball well. Allen comes to the Dolphins as a free agent from the New York Giants.
Underrated: Center Rex Hadnot moves over from guard and should upgrade that position. Hadnot is a tough guy who might have been the Dolphins' best lineman in 2005.
Minnesota Vikings
Overrated: The Vikings paid a lot of money to sign running back Chester Taylor, but is he really a No. 1 back? Taylor has never been the go-to guy and there are some scouts who wonder if he can be. Yet you look at some preseason rankings, and you'd swear it was Jamal Lewis the Vikings signed.
Underrated: Receiver Koren Robinson had tremendous potential when he came into the league, but off-the-field issues never allowed him to show it. Now that he's working on moving away from those issues -- his agent says his recent return to a rehab facility was voluntary and "proactive" -- Robinson is now a legitimate big-play receiver and return man.
New England Patriots
Overrated: Running back Corey Dillon is nearing the end. He had trouble with injuries last year and his numbers dropped off. Rookie Laurence Maroney will key the running game.
Underrated: Tight end Ben Watson is ready to join the elite of his position. Watson caught 29 passes last season and he will at least double that this season.
New Orleans Saints
Overrated: Quarterback Drew Brees had a few good seasons in San Diego, but he's a system passer who lacks a big arm. And he's coming off shoulder surgery. The Saints paid way too much to get him.
Underrated: Defensive end Will Smith is on the verge of becoming a star. He showed a nice burst in his second year in the league and could put up a 15-sack season.
New York Giants
Overrated: Tight end Jeremy Shockey is a good player, but he should be a great one. He needs more focus. If that happens, watch out. Until then, he's not as good as many think.
Underrated: Guard Chris Snee is a nasty mauler who will soon be a Pro Bowl player. He won't back down from anyone and he's key to getting Tiki Barber all those yards.
New York Jets
Overrated: Running back Curtis Martin has been an all-time Jets great. But it's over. Martin is no longer an elite back and it showed last season when he rushed for a career-low 735 yards.
Underrated: Defensive end Shaun Ellis doesn't get a lot of attention, but he simply goes out and makes plays. He should be comfortable playing end in the new 3-4 scheme.
Oakland Raiders
Overrated: The Raiders have not had the return on investment they hoped when they took offensive tackle Robert Gallery with the second overall pick in '04. He moves from the right side to the left side -- his more natural spot -- so that could help. But he isn't in the elite class the Raiders hoped he'd join.
Underrated: Playing next to Warren Sapp, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly has developed into a solid player. Kelly, a third-year player from Mississippi State, is a 300-pound force in the middle who has a quick first step.
Philadelphia Eagles
Overrated: Defensive end Jevon Kearse isn't the player he was with the Titans. He doesn't have the same burst and opponents don't have to account for on every play. He's still pretty good, but no longer an elite pass rusher.
Underrated: Right guard Shawn Andrews is developing into one of the better guards in the NFC. He can overpower an opponent.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Overrated: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a good player, but you'd think by winning the Super Bowl he's a great one. He still has a ways to go to get to that level. He needs to do a better job of reading the entire field.
Underrated: Cornerback Ike Taylor made big strides last season. He could be ready to make the Pro Bowl push. He has all the tools.
St. Louis Rams
Overrated: Receiver Isaac Bruce is coming to the end of his career. He had just 36 catches last season, yet the Rams chose to re-sign him. Injuries slowed him some, but age is now an issue and Kevin Curtis could push for his job.
Underrated: Running back Steven Jackson is coming off a 1,000-yard season, which is OK, but he didn't carry it enough. In the new system, he will, which is why he could lead the league in rushing.
San Diego Chargers
Overrated: Outside linebacker Steve Foley is good at rushing the passer, but he struggles in coverage. The Chargers hide him some in their scheme, but when it shows up it isn't pretty.
Underrated: Defensive end Luis Castillo was overshadowed by fellow rookie Shawne Merriman last season, but was good as a rookie starter. Castillo will only get better in 2006.
San Francisco 49ers
Overrated: When the 49ers overpaid to sign left tackle Jonas Jennings last year, it was a questionable move. Now we see why. Jennings had his season cut short by a shoulder injury, but when he was on the field he was far from dominant.
Underrated: The 49ers love what they've seen from receiver Antonio Bryant, who signed as a free agent. Bryant talks a big game, but he also backs it up. He will prove to be an excellent acquisition.
Seattle Seahawks
Overrated: The Seahawks think linebacker Julian Peterson will be the missing ingredient on their defense. Peterson is a good player, but injury issues have eroded his skills. He is no longer a top 25 player, as some might think.
Underrated: Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard had 8½ sacks last season and became a starter in the process. He has great quickness up the field.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Overrated: Fullback Mike Alstott is coming to the end of his career, but he's been overrated his entire career.
Underrated: Cornerback Brian Kelly doesn't get the attention Ronde Barber does on the other side, but he's a solid cover corner. He is perfect for what the Bucs want to do.
Tennessee Titans
Overrated: Receiver David Givens is good, but he certainly isn't an elite receiver, yet the Titans are paying him like one.
Underrated: Free safety Chris Hope was a big reason why the Steelers were able to play Troy Polamalu near the line of scrimmage last season. Hope has great range and will help the Titans defense a bunch.
Washington Redskins
Overrated: Safety Adam Archuleta is a big hitter who has made some big plays, but he is a liability in coverage and isn't worth the money the 'Skins paid him.
Underrated: Fellow safety Sean Taylor is a monster player whose talent has been overshadowed by his off-field incident. He's an elite safety.
