Every sport has them. Those players that you watch and just don't see what everyone else sees. These players may be very good, but maybe they just do not live up to the expectations or hype.
Here are my top ten overrated athletes from football, basketball, and baseball.
10. Adam Emmenecker. Don't get me wrong, I have tremendous respect for a walk-on point guard who has multiple majors, and led his team to the NCAA tournament. I just can't get over his under-impressive stats on the court.
He averaged just 8.6 points per game as a senior, and was still given the MVC Player of the Year honors. The reason I put him on this list, however, is the Western Kentucky game.
The announcers gushed on and on about what a skilled passer he was, even when he made a run-of-the-mill chest pass to a teammate who then sank a 25 foot shot.
Yes, he can pass, but it was annoying to hear them giving Emmenecker all of the credit when it was his teammates hitting big shot after big shot.
9. Ryan Mallett. As a Michigan fan, I got to watch the hyped freshman in action a lot last year, and I was extremely disappointed.
Yes, he is 6 feet 7 inches and has a bazooka for an arm, but he is just not a good quarterback. I went to the game against Minnesota where he could not even complete a screen pass.
Sorry, Arkansas, but I'm afraid that all you have is a flamethrower who can't find the strike zone.
8. Joel Zumaya. As fun as it is to watch the radar gun hit triple digits, I have never felt completely comfortable as a Tigers fan watching Zumaya come in from the bullpen.
Although he has a devastating curveball, it seems as if he insists on trying to throw the gas by the major league hitters. For him to get off this list, he has to learn how to pitch.
And maybe he has. I just don't know because he is always injured.
7. Ryan Howard. How can a former MVP be overrated?
Yes, the power numbers are very impressive, but 199 strikeouts and .268 batting average are just not good enough for my liking. He can mash, but I really think he needs to hit .300 consistently to get off of my overrated list.
6. Brian Urlacher. Urlacher is a phenomenal athlete, and Bears fans will probably heavily disagree with this pick, but I just do not see him as the best backer in the game. I think he is very blockable.
His best years were when he had Traylor and Washington in front of him to keep the blockers away.
Also, a game against the Patriots comes to mind, where he had a chance at an open-field tackle on Tom Brady, and he completely missed. Juked by Tom Brady. Think about that for a while.
5: LeBron James. LeBron is amazing, I cannot deny that, but my stance on him is the same of ESPN First Take's Skip Bayless.
People keep comparing him to Michael Jordan, who is easily the best basketball player of all-time. Michael has won six more championships than James, shoots better free throws than LeBron, and has hit many more clutch shots in big games.
Also, LeBron is hurt far too often to be compared with Jordan.
4. Tony Romo. Romo has played for almost two seasons, and he is one of the most hyped quarterbacks in the league.
He had a very good season last year, but before you put him in with elite quarterbacks such as Brady, Manning, and Favre, he has to win a playoff game. So far he is 0-for-2 and has not played well in either game.
3. Andruw Jones. Jones has had some decent seasons in the past, but I was wondering why he was one of the top free agents in the offseason.
He is regarded as one of the best centerfielders in the game, but his career average is a very unimpressive .262, and he has only batted over .300 once in his career.
This year he has gotten off to another shaky start, hitting under .200.
2: Vince Young. "He's a winner." That is what is associated with Vince Young.
However, I have problems attributing the Titans' success with Young's play.
In 2007, he threw only nine touchdown passes to seventeen interceptions. Yes, he had a great college career, but he needs to prove he can play at the NFL level before he can be seen as the franchise quarterback that so many have labeled him.
1: Reggie Bush. Bush is much like Vince Young. He is a phenomenal athlete who had an amazing collegiate career. He is in so many commercials and ads, and he has not been good at all in the NFL.
Over two seasons, he has rushed for 1,146 yards, with a 3.7 average per carry. A dynamic playmaker in college, his longest run from scrimmage is just 22 yards.
The thing about Bush is that I do not think he will be any good in the NFL. He is a 'tweener who is too small to take on the full rushing load, and doesn't have the hands to become a slot receiver.
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6 months ago
Thank you! Finally someone else who sees past all of the Adam Emmenecker hype. The guy is terrible. I was at the Drake - WKU game in the first round of this year's tournament and he was a big reason they lost. He has no athleticism and missed TONS of layups. I think he missed seven or eight in that game and me and my cousins couldn't believe this guy was a starter for a D1 school.
from 6 months ago
Yeah, I saw two Drake games this year. The MVC championship against Illinois State and the first round game against WKU. I wasn't impressed at all, especially for all the hype he was getting.
6 months ago
This is probably the nicest "over hyped" article I've ever seen, you give due props to the players who are in fact amazing athletes but give solid explanations of why you see them as underachievers compared to the expectations set for them. Very well done.
That said, of anyone on this list the only ones I'm very familiar with are the football players, and I wouldn't give up on Young just yet. QB's always take time to come into their own, remember how bad Drew Brees was before the Chargers drafted Phillip Rivers? Young still has a way to go but he could be a pro-bowler someday, or he could flop completely, at this point I feel it's too early to tell. Bush will never be able to dominate the pro game the way he did in college, but if he improves his decision making I feel he could still have a productive NFL career. Urlacher may not be the best backer in football, but Chicago's defense is certainly better with him than without him. I think these three are just over hyped, as opposed to being bad players.
6 months ago
I must disagree with Urlacher. I hate the Bears. But I watch them just to watch him play. It's like he knows the play before the ball is snapped. He fills the gap before the rb even gets there. I really disagree about him and think he is neither overrated not underrated.
As a Philly fan I disagree about Ryan Howard but that arguement would be made with my heart so I don't want to get into that. I have no liking or dislike for Urlacher... I just feel he's one of the best LB in the game today, probably in my mind the best.
6 months ago
I like the topic, but I completely disagree with most of your picks. Urlacher, James, Romo, Jones, and Howard are all unbelievable players. In fact, many would make the case that Lebron is currently the best player in the NBA. How could that possibly be overrated? Reggie Bush was a good pick, as I feel he is overrated. However, that is only because he isn't an I-Form back, and the Saints have to find some non-traditional ways to use him. Once they figure it out though, he will be off of this list as well.
from 6 months ago
LeBron might be the best player in the NBA, but everybody is talking about him being the next MJ. He is not. That's why I thought he was overrated.
6 months ago
Jerry: You don't know YET if Lebron will be the next MJ. Lebron has a lot of ball ahead of him. So I think your criteria for judgment on this call is questionable.
6 months ago
Thanks for not putting any Mets on your list
JF
6 months ago
In case you didn't know it, Skip Bayless is not an authority. Read the facts before making such a ridiculous article public. Here is LeBron James list of accomplishments in his short career:
* One of three players in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in their rookie season.[3]
o Includes Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan.
* One of five players in NBA history to average over 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in a season.[3]
o Includes Oscar Robertson (achieved this six times), John Havlicek (achieved this twice), Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan.
* One of four players in NBA history to average at least 31 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in a season.[3]
o Includes Oscar Robertson (achieved this twice), Jerry West, and Michael Jordan.
* One of two players in NBA history to average at least 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for three consecutive seasons.[3]
o Includes Oscar Robertson (achieved this eight times).
* One of three players in NBA history to record a triple-double in their playoff debut.[3]
o Includes Johnny McCarthy and Magic Johnson.
* 2nd place all-time for consecutive 20-point games to start a playoff career with 19.[6]
o Behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 27 consecutive games
* Only player in NBA history to score 25 straight points for his team in a playoff game.[7]
from 6 months ago
0 NBA championships.
I never said that James was a bad basketball player, just that he is overrated. People have set ungodly standards for him, and he has not reached them. Michael Jordan is still superior to James because he has six rings, while James has zero.
6 months ago
Wow Jerry, LeBron is in his 5th NBA season. He's the youngest ever to 10,000 career points and he'll get to 20,000 before we know it. MJ didn't have any rings after his first five seasons. He hadn't even been to the Finals yet, something LeBron has done. You can't compare MJ's entire career to LeBrons first five seasons. Every big high school prospect that's 6'5-6'8 and can dunk and shoot the three is supposed to be "the next MJ". I don't think people think he's the next MJ on the court. He'll be the next MJ with the effect he has on the NBA. The NBA hasn't had a star that any common fan could love since MJ retired. LeBron is that guy for the new generation of NBA fans.
6 months ago
Lebron James! Are you kidding me? You even say he's amazing in your poorly written article. Dude, seriously, if you want people to find your stuff through google news by including high profile names, make sure that the article is well thought out. Many people have seen this list and just laughed, remembered to file your name under bullshit and will never come back again. You hear that? It's the sound of sports fans clicking off this site, never to return. Hack.
from 6 months ago
Thanks for the constructive criticism, dick.
6 months ago
Thank you on Vince.
Lebron here is absurd he has no one surrounding him as far as ability. Nothing. If you gave him a supporting cast built around him, like Jordan had, he would win a title.
He is compared to Jordan but lets not forget Jordan had the best supporting cast in the league.
Also Jordan is not "easily the best". That is an absurd statement.
Bill Russel is by far the best.
from 6 months ago
Don't be dumb Cody. MJ is the greatest player in NBA history, period.
6 months ago
I disagree on Vince and LeBron, but overall liked the article.
6 months ago
I disagree on Vince and LeBron, but overall liked the article.
6 months ago
I have to disagree Marcus.
Bill Russel won a gold medal in his first year out of college, leading the team with his play no less.
His first full season in the NBA he led the Celtics to the finals. In game seven he performed the "Coleman Play" to preserve the championship for his team.
Over a seven year stretch Russel maintained a streak of no less than 23 rebounds on average per game. Also forty rebounds in game 2 of the 1960 NBA Finals.
Let us not forget the 11 NBA titles he won and at one point 9 out of 10 years. Most teams can't win nine out of ten games. 11 titles over 13 years.
I agree that Jordan was great. He was flashy. He saved basketball. He played stiff competition but Bill was dominating his whole career. More rings has to be worth something.
from 6 months ago
Wow Cody. Put MJ playing back in the 60's and he would average 50 points a game for his career. If you put Russell playin in MJ's era he wouldn't be near as dominant. I'm not downgrading Bill Russel in ANY way here but you have to admit he had it much easier to dominate rebounding and shot blocking against posts that were all shorter then him outside of Wilt Chaimberlain and maybe a few years of Kareem. MJ dominated the league from the shooting guard position. 37.1 points per game as a 6'6 shooting guard is one of the most impressive feats i've ever heard of. Nowadays if someone scores 37 points in a game it's a big deal and they refer to it as "He went off for 37 last night". Well MJ went off for 37 for that season. Bill Russell was also on the greatest dynasty in NBA history. The Celtics had an absolute stacked team. Not that the Bulls players weren't good but outside of MJ and Scottie, who did they really have? Rodman was a force on the boards and thats about it. Steve Kerr could hit the three and that was about it for him. They had NO post game WHATSOEVER and still managed 6 nba championships during a much more competitive era of basketball. Had it not been for the Pistons in the 80's MJ might've had 2 or 3 more. Also had he not retired, TWICE, he would've easily had 8 championships, possibly 10.
6 months ago
Overall, I like the article, but there is something that bugs me. It's pretty obvious that the entire league is focus on two main guys: LeBron and Kobe. If you had put Kobe in that mixture, imagine how many people would have called you a moron? Instead you took the road less traveled. However, some of the gallery is right: if you put the right amount of bodies around King James, an NBA Title is imminent. However, to say that he is completely overrated is a little sour for my taste. He is not the next MJ...yet, but if I had to choose between James and Kobe as my go to clutch guy, give me Lebron any day of the week. All in all, good piece and good argument starter. Keep it coming.
6 months ago
That is a pretty poor call on Lebron James, actually. Like everybody has stated before, James has set himself up to accomplish just as much as Jordan has. Oh, and also- he doesn't have Scottie Pippin, or Dennis Rodman, or Phil Jackson on his side. Every good player needs a team, just ask Michael Jordan in Washington.
6 months ago
don't want to insult you, so I'll keep it cordial. Bush, Young and James are too young and early in their careers to make this call. Give Bush and Young one more year before you label them. Now, James, thats a different story. I don't know if you're a hater of him or not, but the dude is still young. You mentioned 0 championships, did you think to consider Jordan didn't have a championship in his first 5 years. I've got a degree in journalism so I think I can tell you, you have to consider the arguments if you're going to compare players. I'm a Jordan fan for sure. And he is easily the best player ever. I guess if I was Bill Russel I'd dominate too if the avg height in the league at that time was 6'3 and he was what 6'10 or something, LOL.
6 months ago
Urlacher is better than you give him credit for...He draws at least 2 guys on most plays-thus why Briggs has so many frickin tackles. His job is not to miss those tackles. As with Hillenmyer. He may not deserve all the acolades he gets, but he is one of the best none the less.
6 months ago
The only reason Ryan Howard has an MVP award is because Pujols does not play on the east coast...
6 months ago
I disagree with all the above mentioned names. First off In college all coaches, local media bings hype to their players for notarization and recruiting (which goes hand and hand). Now on to the pro's a comparison is never completely fair especially when you take in consideration the era's that was present. Now it's not like we're talking any Ryan Leaf's here. You never can say anyone is overrated until their career is over. Bush is not having a great stat career but he changes the game because you have to game plan him make sure yo know where he's at on the field and stop him because if you don't he would put your entire d on highlight reels. Vince while he's not putting up Peyton Manning type numbers keep in mind he doesn't or hasn't had nearly the the recievers Manning had so you can take away his running game and force him to throw because no ones going to catch it. James mentioned here is so absurd. He's overated, the teams focal point to stop every night yet he still puts up MVP numbers. Not only does score alot he's a high assist man he rebounds he defends how can a player with his stat line be overrated. If anything he's underrated why, well teams say just let him score then we'll beat them, nope he scored 25 in a row, don't let him score let his teammates beat us well you can't stop him scoring and allowing him to average nearly a triple double. He's not to hurt as he often plays hurt only misses games when he's in a cast. Ryan well an mvp overrated stop smoking. Jones Not the guy you want to pitch to in the botom of the ninth with bases loaded and your up by a run, Posts solid numbers even though he's considered a slugger. Urlacher, One of the most feard LB's in the league, stats speaks for themself. Romo well he did botch that snap in the playoffs and followed that with a year only Brady and Co season would make you overlook. Not to mention he did have a few key passes dropped that would've won that game. So to call out players is bs especially if they're still playing (and the ones you called out are having great careers only to get better). How about the most overrated thing about this article is the title. Now if you would have had maybe A Ryan Leaf, Curtis Enis, Penny Hardaway or Jerry Deboir then maybe this article would have some credibility. No disrespect intended but try to base these accusations on real life and not Madden, NBA Live or any othe video game in which you got your information.
6 months ago
You really think Mallett is overrated?
He does have a great arm, but I think a lot of his struggles can be attributed to first year jitters and just the pure fact he wasn't ready to compete.
I think he needs time before we call him overrated, cause in reality he was the number 2 quarterback in that class, not the number 1.
6 months ago
I think this is a great topic, but your top 6 is absolutely terrible? Lebron James is the most talented player ever to play the game, if he had a brain, he would be the best player ever to play, your top 5 were completely wrong and i could think of thousands more overaated then them
6 months ago
Oh and i forgot, ok youngs stats aernt great, but look at the titans success without him compared to with him
6 months ago
I liked your reasoning, nice article.
6 months ago
Agree with everything Tim said above, especially the part about how bad your article is. Since I've already wasted 5 min of my life on this ridiculous web page and despite understanding how this is all part of your plan to generate discussion, I'm compelled to point out (as so many other already have) how wrong you are.
Lebron James - hype is that he will be one of the best ever (like MJ). He already is one of the best in the league (with no help) and on pace to compete with the greats in overall career accomplishments. Can't compare careers of a kid that's only played a few years to someone that's played forever. With that said, comparing the first few years of each will show you a lot of similarities. You are way off on this one. This is where I started to get dumber.
Vince - not sure where you're getting the hype on this one? Down here in the land of Vince-lovers the opinion is that he's got tons of potential but needs to work on it. Don't know anyone that thinks Vince is a top QB at this stage. And he is a winner. Here's a longhorn that is truly overrated - Cedric Benson.
Urlacher - he's really good and that's what people think about him. Maybe not the best backer as you called out, but definitely one of the top couple. Is there ever a unanimous choice for best linebacker? Maybe Ray Lewis in the day, but it's too hard to say so you can't say he's overrated if people say he's number one and really he could be one, two or three.
Overall, reading and responding to this article wasted 10 min of my life, raised my blood pressure, and made me dumber. I recommend you power down the PC and start pursuing plan B to become a women's soccer coach (or something equally lame) at your local high school or settle on an island somewhere with Merrill Hoge and plenty of lube.
5 months ago
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5 months ago
Just read this since you made my radar with your assessment of the Pack's draft. Good stuff, no matter what disagreements others (and maybe even I) have. I mean, you could have a hundred people make this list and probably all of them will contain a couple different players from everyone elses--there are so many to choose from.
I don't think a lack of championships is Lebron's fault, any more than I think it is fair for everyone to put Montana agead of Favre (hello--ALOT more to work with) because he has three more rings. And it's not that he's not a good player (and unlike that anonymous guy who cowardly wants to rain on others' parades with negative comments and not join him/her-self, I notice you never said he wasn't good), just not the best in the league, much less Jordan-esque. (I would argue that while MJ probably is the best ever, he is not clearly so since I could make a case for Chamberlain, Russell, Mikan, Olajuwan, Magic, Bird, Cousy, Oscar, and maybe others--they just weren't as visible because of their eras.)
5 months ago
Your assessments are right on, but I would add Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson to this list. I would take Anquan Boldin and Marvin Harrison over those two any day.
11 days ago
Good article I like your guys on the list for the most part. Andruw Jones and Tony Romo are extremely overrated, and Reggie Bush and Vince Young are two of the most overrated guys in the entire NFL.
You mentioned that you believe Ryan Howard is overrated because he doesn't hit .300. Well, that's because Ryan Howard is not a .300 type hitter. He is still an extremely dangerous hitter, arguably the most feared power hitter in the league, and one of the most valuable players in the N.L. But it's not fair to expect Howard to hit .300 because he's a power hitter. McGwire didn't hit .300 regularly; but like Howard, he is a power-hitting first basemen who was good despite the fact that he didn't post a very high batting average. He made up for it with home runs and an incredible amount of walks that still contributed to a high on-base percentage, just like Howard. Getting on Howard for not hitting .300 is like getting on Ichiro for not being a 30-HR guy. It's just not his style of play, but it doesn't mean he's not a good, in fact, great player.
And you put LeBron on this list, stating that Michael Jordan has six rings and LeBron has zero. Well, let's be fair to LeBron. He has played five seasons in his career and has never won an NBA championship. Michael Jordan played six full seasons without winning an NBA championship; in fact, it wasn't until his seventh season in the league that he won his first NBA title. So it's not fair to compare how many rings LeBron has to MJ because LeBron is still in the beginning of his career.
I agree about Zumaya. Simply hitting 103 MPH on the radar gun does not in itself make you a great pitcher. And he is hurt more than anyone I know.
I also agree with Urlacher being overrated, but for different reasons. You mentioned that Brady juked him out on a play. That single play does not mean much to me; I don't think it's fair to judge a veteran of nine years based on one play, but I do agree that he is overrated. It seems too much to me that Urlacher and the Bears are referred to as the "Big Bad Bears," but I don't find that defense to be as dominating as some analysists believe it is.
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