The NFL's Most Under-Appreciated Players
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Good article. Your sentiments on Pennington especially, are bang-on.
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I agree with the Pennington sentiments. Too bad he plays in New York. Good stuff!
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Faulk is becoming a trendy pick with the Super Bowl nearing, albeit a great choice for this article nonetheless.
You could probably list just about any offensive lineman in the league.
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Bobby Engram.
Set a Seahawks franchise record this season with over 100 catches, and had what many would consider to be a Pro Bowl caliber year. Just a year ago he nearly quit football because of a thyroid condition that kept him out for a large portion of the season, and oh yeah, he is 34 years old.
He has always been the go-to guy when a big 3rd down conversion was needed in Seattle.
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Also, Pennington is unappreciated because he deserves it. Jets fans hedged their bets on this guy, and he imploded. Sure he is accurate, but just because he excels at one mechanic doesn't mean he is automatically a top-tier quarterback. He sucks. That is why he was replaced by a mediocre Kellen Clemens, a 2nd rounder who is in his second professional season. And he cannot stay healthy. -
While I disagree with your comment about saying that Chad is the "most accurate QB in the league" I do think that he is somewhat under-appreciated.
Nobody in the Jet's organization will let him throw the ball more than 10 yards. While he doesn't have the best arm, you have to let a quarterback have free reign on all the plays in a playbook for him to reach his full potential.
Nice article.
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My choices?
Kevin Faulk, RB
The Falcon's new GM had it right when discussing the need for role players in Atlanta. "Look at Kevin Faulk.... there's a guy who could be starting on any other team, but instead he's a third down back, a blocking back, in New England."
And he earns his paycheck.
Not flashy, and doesn't get the TD's. But he lays some monster blocks when ends slip outside the Patriots' tackles, catches balls out of the backfield and over the middle, and is a first down machine.
Don't believe me?
Watching the Superbowl, see if you can find a more important player on that offense, aside from Tom Brady.
Chad Pennington, QB
Gets no love from Jets fans.
They remind me of Leafs fans: The only thing they hate more than a loser, is a winner. He is the most accurate QB in NFL history, and gets zero respect. It's not his fault he plays for the Jets—a mediocre offensive line, with mediocre weapons on offense.
Sure, Coles is a pretty good receiver, but he is far past his prime, and easy to double up on.
Cotchery doesn't have the focus to be a number one WR in the NFL just yet. And as for the halfback position...it took how many carries before that first TD this year?
Put Pennington behind the O-line of the Patriots, the Colts, the Cowboys, or even the Ravens (yes, the Ravens, more on that in a second) and you have a sure winner.
What the Jets really need for success is a good check down option for Pennington. Brady has Kevin Faulk and Wes Welker, Romo has Jason Witten, Peyton has Addai and Dallas Clark.
If they cut him, I hope he plays behind the exceptional offensive line in Baltimore and tears up the league.
Mike Furrey, WR
Yeah, you haven't heard of him.
Waived by the Colts in Preseason, he went and played in the XFL. Slept in and lived out of his car during Broncos tryouts, and Rams tryouts. Made it to the Rams.
His first year he didn't catch a TD, but he did rush two in. 2005, he made the switch to FS, starting after week five. Led the team in INTs, including a game winning 60+ yard return and a fourth quarter drive killer in another game.
Cut by the Rams, he was picked up by the Lions in '06.
After having had zero receptions the previous year, he led the NFC in receptions, and was second in the NFL with 98.
Somehow Furrey is playing the fourth spot behind Shaun "volleyball set for INT instead of catch" MacDonald in Detroit...though hopefully not for long.
An honorable mention: I'm also a big fan of Troy Brown, WR. 12 year Pats vet. Holds the Patriots record for all-time receptions. Plays KR and all manner of special teams, has played CB and safety, and even played QB for the Pats in the preseason this year. Gets the job done.
So let's hear it.