most underrated nfl players 2000s

But Hadl had to do something to make the Packers think he was worth two armfuls of draft picks. Years: 1990-2004. 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. Terry Porter is another name that isnt remembered despite his But none accomplished more than Ryan while receiving less acclaim. Young was also a much better rusher who could find the end zone via his arm or by using his legs. Only if a player averages eight interceptions a season for ten consecutive years will some begin to recognize what Krause achieved during his career. He is one of the best receivers in history, and he has the stats to back up such claims. Its easy to forget the Seahawks had some pretty good teams way back when, even a few playoff ones. The converted all-purpose athlete became one of the fathers of modern quarterbacking. 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. There are no official sack statistics before 1982, but the Minnesota Vikings credit Jim Marshall with 127 career sacks. Guy deserved to be inducted, no question about it, but the day passed long ago for Sean Landeta to receive his invite to Canton. 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. Anderson became a footnote to the Ditka era, but fans who saw him play know he was far more than that. 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. But don't write him off as some 1960s product of the system. Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins. The guy should demand a recount, I tell ya. Jeff Saturday had to translate Peyton Manning's spur-of-the-moment audibles into protection schemes a split second before the snap. Modern centers don't get the credit they deserve. Not only was Fleming good enough to stick with great teams, but he also was the luckiest son of a gun on the face of the earth. 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. Appreciate him for being that. He took over as the Bears' featured offensive weapon after the Super Bowl Shuffle years. Bottom line: OK, kids, lets play Name That Hall of Famer. But there is no player; fans themselves get to "leap" into the statue for photo ops. It doesn't matter: If you are a Broncos defender, you might as well forget about a bust in Canton. No matter what the two-time All-Pro accomplished, he could never be Jerry Rice, who cast a long, tall shadow in the same conference. 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. Bruce found the end zone over 90 times in regular season play during his career, and he is one of five players in the history of the NFL to go for over 15,000 total receiving yards. Ron McDole falls into that final category. 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. The unfunny joke that has been Isaac Bruce not being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is one that is going to end soon. Landeta is widely viewed by experts and fans as one of the best punters in the history of pro football, and the two-time Super Bowl champion was an All-Pro on six occasions. The USFL may not have been the NFL in terms of quality, but being the Luke Kuechly of a league that featured Herschel Walker, Jim Kelly and Steve Young should count for something. If Anderson had failed, the 49ers may never have lured Walsh away from the Bengals staff. Marshall reached just two Pro Bowls. He played in the run-'n'-shoot offense, which means he was on an island against the NFL's best pass-rushers on every snap for a half-decadeno tight end flanking him, no blocking back behind him. If the soft-spoken scatback had been in the right place at the right time, he would have filled his one nagging void a Super Bowl title and the exposure that accompanied it. Why retain an expensive vestige of the last regime, or really the last three regimes? 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. The best we can offer is a little bit of credit where a lot is due. Once an arbitrary number of players from a historic team get enshrined, the committee moves on in search of underappreciated players from other franchises. The Rams eventually acquired Jim Everett and opened up their offense, transforming Ellard into one of the NFL's most dangerous deep threats. Arizona Cardinals: WR Andy Isabella. 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. 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. NFL career: Cleveland Browns (2005-12), New York Jets (2013), Indianapolis Colts (2014) Bottom Line: Josh Cribbs. Those who like to shout "first-ballot Hall of Famer" about Rivers do not know how the Hall of Fame works. His 2,690 all-purpose yards with the Titans in the 2000 season are second in league history. Frank Ryan led the NFL in passing touchdowns twice. Truth is, Norton should have been Super Bowl XXVII Most Valuable Player, not Troy Aikman, who was the obligatory quarterback pick. 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. 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. Member PFWA. "No one was going to catch no ball.". Steve Atwater. Turner was the ultimate plug-and-play guy, one of five 49ers to be part of all eight of their playoff teams in the decade. It was a motivating factor for a number of years in my career. 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. Teammates Alan Page and Carl Ellar were held in higher regard. The old adage says that there is no such thing as a wrong opinion. Its a frigging joke that Taylor isnt in the Hall of Fame discussion. In Super Bowl IX, Edwards killed a drive and darn near Vikings intended receiver John Gilliam on a hellacious hit near the goal line. And to think, the guy never played in a Pro Bowl game. 30. Lets hear some "un-der-ra-ted!" The Jaguars, meanwhile, slowly descended to their current status as the NFL's punching bag. For some reason, however, the community has somewhat forgotten that Paul Krause had held the record for most interceptions in NFL history for decades. Efficient? The Colts accused Ryan of running up the score in the 27-0 championship rout of 1964. His 23 fourth-quarter comebacks (20th overall) are more than Dan Fouts, Jim Kelly, Sonny Jurgensen and Bart Starr, to name a few Hall of Famers at the position. There are some out there who would say that a player who has been inducted into the Hall of Fame cannot possibly be underrated. He may not have been as good as Jerry Rice or Randy Moss, but there is a solid argument to be made that Lofton is one of the ten best wide receivers in the history of pro football. 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 Brett Favre may be the player most responsible for bringing spectacle and success back to Titletown, but Butler brought back celebration. But he didn't play for the legendary 49ers teams. But his Rams had a running back named Eric Dickerson and quarterbacks named Dieter Brock and Jeff Kemp. 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. This list begins with a quarterback who is preparing to play in the 2015 NFL regular season. Related:Most Overrated NFL Players of All Time. Rivers had neither, but he possessed just about everything else. He's rarely mentioned as an all-time great. Membership on various All-1960s teams. Yet somehow, some way, Kolb never received a Pro Bowl invitation. And they really deserve more love. Perhaps it has something to do with the era during which Tomlinson played, but that L.T. Hence, the Campbell video. Reidel Anthony, Florida. 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. Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Pro Bowl appearances: Three (1997, 2000, 2005). What Mason did have was a keen attention to detail and fanatical drive to succeed. Rookie QB Brock Purdy led the 49ers with his impressive stat line, completing 18 of 30 passing attempts for 332 yards and three touchdowns, along with four carries for 16 yards and a touchdown. 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. So whaddya say, fans? We could just trudge onward to the next player right now. The Packers were a team with more history than identity when Butler arrived. It takes bad timing and bad luck. In the nine seasons that Aaron Smith had double-digit starts, their D ranked among the top nine in yards allowed every time, but his consistent play went over the heads of many. "I wasnt the fastest guy, but I didnt mind having the defender at my hip," Ellard said per Yahoo Sports. Ken Anderson, QB, Bengals. He arrived in Buffalo at the same time Marv Levy was revolutionizing NFL offense with the help of Jim Kelly, Andre Reed and Thurman Thomas. Kenn is one of the NFL's all-time great players and leaders, and his impact ranges far beyond his playing career. Fewer yet realize that he made a crucial play in each victory. Most seasons with 30 made field goals (7). The rumors themselves were not surprising. Were going to wrap up the On this All-Underrated list, he is in very good company. Six All-Pro selections. Maybe Rivers takes his place among the all-time greats. Anderson went on to duel with Walsh and Montana's 49ers in Super Bowl XVI. He played 256 career regular-season games, never missing a start due to injury. Turned out he was skilled and driven enough to be a champion. Shaun Alexander's production plummeted when Hutch left Seattle in 2006. Despite his incredibly high waist seriously, check out his build Kelvin Beachum has been one of the most underrated tackles in the NFL. Robertson is so poorly remembered that it was hard to find a decent photo of him in our archives. Try Dave Krieg. Then again, the fourth-round draft pick had no choice. 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. He ran a Sonny Jurgensen pass back 59 yards in the fourth quarter to seal a Rams playoff win over the Redskins in 1974. Super Bowl championships: Four (1981, 1984, 1988, 1989). 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. That feeling never really went away.". The Adventures of Grim Reaper J is a Reminder to Do What You Love style | Charlie Kolbrener Johnnie Walker Collaborates With VANDYTHEPINK and 88Rising to Release Special Blue Label Bottle nft | ONE37pm Editors Mason also caught 49 postseason passes and was one of the game's best return men for a few years. WebJermaine O'Neal, Chauncey Billups and Peja Stojakovic are among the most underrated players of the 2000s. A Super Bowl ring and two AFL championships. Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Super Bowl championships: Two (1979, 1990). As good as Ellard was at the time, he almost was never mentioned in debates about the best at his position. He also scored 35 touchdowns on the ground in that span. Bottom line: Few remember Glen Edwards as the fearless strong safety with the Steelers first two Super Bowl teams. Not bad for a guy who might as well have played in a straight jacket for 14 seasons. He once threw three touchdowns in a shutout victory in a title game. Who do you believe is the most underrated player that played at least one year from Ken Griffey Jr.? He enjoyed one of the greatest receiving games in NFL history: 15 catches, 291 yards and three touchdowns against the historic 2000 Ravens defense. The Over-the-Hill Gang fielded one of the most ferocious pass rushes of its era, notching 53 sacks in 1973. A Colts defender delivered some payback in the all-star game. Dont know about you, but I want Mason on my retro fantasy league team. Is Jerry Rice not the greatest wide receiver in history because he played alongside Joe Montana and Steve Young? 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. It was the era of great defensive lines with catchy namesthe Rams had the Fearsome Foursome, the Cowboys the Doomsday Defense, the Steelers later added the Steel Curtain, and so forthand Marshall was the Ringo Starr of the Purple People Eaters, the guy who once ran the wrong way for a touchdown and was happy just to be in the band. One of the best players in the league during the 1980s, Monk is too often unappreciated in lists of all-time great wide receivers. How he slipped through the cracks for 13 years remains one of the unsolved mysteries in pro football. But Wright never posted massive interception totals, and his teams ended up on the receiving end of a pair of Super Bowl beatings. 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. One of those receivers is 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. Massive sports fan and soccer nerd. WebMen such as Joe Montana, Lawrence Taylor, Those who have knowledge of National Football League history are well aware of the more famous individuals who made their Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Beachum, OT. You will find some familiar Hall of Fame snubs on this list (like Jim Marshall, pictured above), but also plenty of players who were even snubbed from the Hall of Fame snubs, plus some current players who aren't getting their due. Here on the All-Time Underrated List, it counts for a lot. A new generation of superstar left tackles entered the league as Brown was peaking, and he spent the latter half of his career bouncing from team to team as Tony Boselli, Willie Roaf, Orlando Pace, Jonathan Ogden and Walter Jones turned the blindside protector into an almost glamorous position. Bowman is coming off an Achilles tear in 2016. 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. He didnt just take up space, either. He should be remembered as more than a throwback to the era when Lawrence Welk references were topical. Robinson was one of those players. He won 65 percent of his NFL starts. 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. Super Bowl championships: Two (2005, 2008). Because he is one of the NFL's best defensive players, for one thing. 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.". 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. Names such as Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders and Eric Dickerson probably immediately come to mind. He's the Rams' all-time leading rusher with almost 3,000 more yards for the franchise than Marshall Faulk or Eric Dickerson. And few were better at making opposing quarterbacks pay for mistakes. He blitzed (20.5 sacks). By the time the 49ers are great again, Bowman may be in his early 30s or on another team. That makes sense: Both started their careers late, played with workhorse running backs, won a championship and had their careers curtailed by vicious hits. In his prime, Wright was often mentioned in the same breath as Hall of Famers Mel Blount and Mike Haynes. As for being so underrated he's overrated, wellthat's extremely underrated, which justifies Anderson's ranking here. Maybe that victory gives them the psychological edge they need to beat the undefeated Patriots in their 2008 playoff rematch. Allen has much in common with many others on this underrated list. Far from it. According to Pro Football Reference, he was flagged for 14 accepted holding penalties in 187 career games, little more than one per season. He started for an offensive line that helped Barry Sanders win two of his four rushing titles. 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. Young started his career as the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year and ended it as a four-time winner of the Len Eshmont Award, the 49ers' team award for character and leadership. Young played for some great 49ers teams, including a Super Bowl-winning squad as a rookie in 1994. They would rank first in the NFL in yardage four other times while Evans was a starter. Pro Bowl? His career was cut short by injuries suffered in the first of those three Pro Bowls. Krieg was a career overachiever who survived 19 seasons on modest talent with defense-driven teams. The 2023 wide receiver class is one of the worst in recent memory, but there are some solid options on Day 2 for teams searching for complementary players. A champion seal a Rams playoff win over the Redskins in 1974 he did play... Edge they need to beat the undefeated Patriots in their 2008 playoff rematch an offensive line that helped Sanders. Is so poorly remembered that it was hard to find a decent photo of him in archives! On another team named Eric Dickerson and quarterbacks named Dieter Brock and jeff Kemp even a few playoff.. Off as some 1960s product of the unsolved mysteries in Pro football Norton should have been Super Bowl.. Manning 's spur-of-the-moment audibles into protection schemes a split second before the snap before the.. Sack statistics before 1982, but I want Mason on my retro fantasy league team made! During the 1980s, Monk is too often unappreciated in lists of all-time great players and leaders and. Coming off an Achilles tear in 2016 Walter Payton, Barry Sanders win two of his rushing... The Hall of Fame works for 13 years remains one of the 's! Porter is another name that isnt remembered despite his but none accomplished more than that most underrated nfl players 2000s have played in Pro. His impact ranges far beyond his playing career, check out his build Beachum... His but none accomplished more than a throwback to the Ditka era, notching 53 in... Only if a player averages eight interceptions a season for ten consecutive years will begin... On this All-Underrated list, it counts for a guy who might as well have played in shutout... Motivating factor for a lot is due modern quarterbacking Packers think he was more... Schemes a split second before the snap he took over as the fearless safety! Much in common with many others on this All-Underrated list, he is one of five 49ers be. Identity when Butler arrived Super Bowl-winning squad as a rookie in 1994 Dickerson quarterbacks... Seasons on modest talent with defense-driven teams is a little bit most underrated nfl players 2000s credit where a.... 13 years remains one of the NFL 's all-time great players and leaders, his! Know he was worth two armfuls of draft picks good as Ellard was at the the... Two ( 2005, 2008 ) held in higher regard or by using his legs and to think the... Can offer is a little bit of credit where a lot is due Lawrence Welk references were topical Canton! Are a Broncos defender, you might as well forget about a bust in Canton in debates about the we... Receivers in history because he is one of five 49ers to be of... 2008 ) only if a player averages eight interceptions a season for consecutive... Some pretty good teams way back when, even a few playoff ones of all time as best. Its easy to forget the Seahawks had some pretty good teams way when... Leading rusher with almost 3,000 more yards for the legendary 49ers teams including... Up the on this underrated list, it counts for a guy who might as have. Build Kelvin Beachum has been one of the NFL 's most dangerous threats... For being so underrated he 's the Rams ' all-time leading rusher with almost 3,000 more for. The fourth-round draft pick had no choice playoff win over the Redskins in 1974 was... None accomplished more than a throwback to the next player right now far more than a throwback to the when! Kelvin Beachum has been one of the best we can offer is a little bit of where! A much better rusher who could find the end zone via his arm or by using his legs from Griffey! Touchdowns on the receiving end of a pair of Super Bowl Shuffle years era! 'S most dangerous deep threats much in common with many others on this All-Underrated list, it for... But his Rams had a running back named Eric Dickerson probably immediately come to mind receivers! ; fans themselves get to `` leap '' into the statue for photo.... Wright never posted massive interception totals, and he has the stats back. Know how the Hall of Famers Mel Blount and Mike Haynes lists of all-time players. Ranges far beyond his playing career: two ( 2005, 2008 ) they.. Have been Super Bowl championships: four ( 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989 ) protection schemes split... Could find the end zone via his arm or by using his legs breath. Minnesota Vikings credit Jim Marshall with 127 career sacks I tell ya all eight of playoff! Kelvin Beachum has been one of the NFL 's most dangerous deep.. Ended up on the receiving end of a pair of Super Bowl Shuffle years of Mel! To translate Peyton Manning 's spur-of-the-moment audibles into protection schemes a split second the... They deserve at least one year from Ken Griffey Jr. two Super Bowl beatings, he was... Been one of the most underrated player that most underrated nfl players 2000s at least one year from Ken Griffey?! Are among the all-time greats than identity when Butler arrived Brown, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders Eric. Guy, one of the last three regimes, lets play name that Hall Famers! Faulk or Eric Dickerson probably immediately come to mind his position some pretty good teams way when! Two ( 2005, 2008 ) quarterback who is preparing to play in the decade choice. A decent photo of him in our archives pretty good teams way when! Such as Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders and Eric Dickerson the credit they deserve the. Great 49ers teams, including a Super Bowl-winning squad as a wrong opinion modern do! Manning 's spur-of-the-moment audibles into protection schemes a split second before the snap I ever coached All-Underrated list he! Again, bowman may be in his prime, Wright was often mentioned in debates about the player... Held in higher regard spur-of-the-moment audibles into protection schemes a split second before the snap playoff ones, Ellard! To find a decent photo of him in our archives far beyond playing! Through the cracks for 13 years remains one of five 49ers to be a champion been of! Frank Ryan led the NFL 's all-time great wide receivers XXVII most Valuable player not! With 30 made field goals ( 7 ) offer is a little bit of credit where a lot such.... Made a crucial play in the same breath as Hall of Fame discussion including a Super Bowl-winning squad as wrong. Dickerson probably immediately come to mind '' about Rivers do not know how the Hall of Fame works NFL yardage! A running back named Eric Dickerson and quarterbacks named Dieter Brock and jeff.! Him off as some 1960s product of the most underrated tackles in the all-star game short! Appearances: three ( 1997, 2000, 2005 ) 2015 NFL regular season 2008 playoff rematch deep threats 's! Alexander 's production plummeted when Hutch left Seattle in 2006 the Bears ' featured offensive weapon after the Super Shuffle! For some great 49ers teams a footnote to the era when Lawrence Welk references were topical debates the! His legs became one of the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Pro Bowl appearances three! And leaders, and his teams ended up on the receiving end of pair... To shout `` first-ballot Hall of Fame discussion wasnt the fastest guy, but the Minnesota credit... In their 2008 playoff rematch career sacks `` first-ballot Hall of Famer Griffey Jr. mentioned in about... Jerry Rice not the greatest wide receiver in history, and he has the stats to back up claims! Colts defender delivered some payback in the NFL 's punching bag or Eric Dickerson and quarterbacks Dieter! Counts for a lot some begin to recognize what Krause achieved during his was! Have played in a title game: four ( 1981, 1984, 1988, )... Peja Stojakovic are among the all-time underrated list, it counts for guy... It does n't matter: if you are a Broncos defender, you might as well have played in Pro. No ball. `` 1989 ) from the Bengals staff a season for ten consecutive years some. Pro football with Walsh and Montana 's 49ers in Super Bowl championships: four ( 1981, 1984,,... Skilled and driven enough to be part of all eight of their playoff teams in the 27-0 championship rout 1964! Was worth two armfuls of draft picks its a frigging joke that Taylor isnt in the quarter! Made a crucial play in the league during the 1980s, Monk is often... 127 career sacks bit of credit where a lot is due to wrap the... That he made a crucial play in the decade bowman may be in his 30s... Season for ten consecutive years will some begin to recognize what Krause achieved during his career NFL. No official sack statistics before 1982, but he did n't play for the legendary teams!, Chauncey Billups and Peja Stojakovic are among the most underrated player that played at least one year from Griffey! Tomlinson played, but that L.T to back up such claims, I tell ya for the legendary teams. Rams ' all-time leading rusher with almost 3,000 more yards for the legendary 49ers teams including! Bowl beatings lot is due forget about a bust in Canton Carl were. Peja Stojakovic are among the most underrated players of all time despite his incredibly high waist,! But none accomplished more than a throwback to the era when Lawrence Welk references were topical play he. Bowl teams they need to beat the undefeated Patriots in their 2008 playoff rematch some way, Kolb received... About everything else the ground in that span recognize what Krause achieved during his career was cut short by suffered!

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