Atlanta Falcons' Nest: 5 Most Underrated/Overrated Falcons for 2010

As we head into 2010, everyone has their predictions as to the players they feel will have either the biggest or minimal impact on the success of their favorite teams throughout the NFL.  Whether it's the pundits on ESPN to the grocery store clerk, ask anyone who you beleive is the most overrated or underrated player on each team and you are sure to get a wide range of opinions.

Well, here at Bleacher Report it's no different.  Now that we are less than a week (YES!) away from the Atlanta Falcons beginning their quest for the Lombardi Trophy and we're going to discuss the 5 Most Underrated and Most Overrated players on the team.  Let the fun (and debates) begin!

5th Most Overrated: Sam Baker

Normally when a team is considered a strong rushing team it's due to the presence of their offensive line.  More importantly, the credit usually goes to the tackles who allow the running backs to get to the outside or through holes within the opposing defense.

I would credit third-year LT Sam Baker on that list if only he ever stayed healthy long enough to stay in the lineup.  Although GM Thomas Dimitroff has not made many questionable decisions since taking over in 2008, trading up for the oft-injured Baker may be one of them.  Yes he is a viable cog in helping the running game and keeping QB Matt Ryan on his feet, but I think he gets way too much respect from fans who think he's the reason.

Perhaps if he can finally stay healthy we can see more production, and eventually, more credit.

4th Most Overrated: Brent Grimes

OK, yes he did lead the team with six interceptions in 2009.  However, upon further review of his play from last year, I still don't think he should be starting opposite CB Dunta Robinson come Sept. 12th at Pittsburgh.

I do give him credit for continuing to play tough, and perhaps if this was 10 years ago he would be a Pro Bowl corner.  The league has gotten bigger and so have the wide receivers, and QBs had a field day picking on Grimes throughout last year as receivers were using him as a pedestal to make catch after catch.

If you need further evidence as to why Atlanta's pass defense was so poor last year, especially on third downs, Grimes is the reason.  He's a gritty and dedicated athlete, but not someone I would start.  Hopefully he will be used more in nickel packages this year.

3rd Most Overrated: Jerious Norwood

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Norwood.  I'll never forget a few seasons ago when Atlanta was playing at FedEx Field (which I saw in person) and Norwood broke the game wide open with a 76-yard touchdown run.  Right then I thought, "This guy could be a player in this league."

I'm still waiting.....

Norwood has had flashes of brilliance with his ability to wreak havoc in the open field.  Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case these past few years.  Let some fans tell it, they think Norwood is the second coming of Barry Sanders, but I don't agree.  Although he was injured for a stretch last season, he still had an opportunity to help this team on offense when Michael Turner went down but didn't.

Perhaps it had more to do with the offensive play-calling, as Norwood is not a between-the-tackles kind of RB, but I expect more out of him now that Atlanta is looking to install a three-pronged running attack. 

2nd Most Overrated: John Abraham

He set the franchise record for sacks in a season with 16.5 in 2008, yet wasn't named to the Pro Bowl.  'Nuff said.

Well, I will say a little more.  Every time you hear commentators talk about the Falcons' defense, it always starts and ends with containing John Abraham.  I think he gets credit due to his past accomplishments with the Jets, because since he came down south he hasn't been consistent enough.  A lot of people cite injuries to the other members of the defensive line, but that happens throughout the NFL.  Indianapolis gets ransacked with injuries yet Dwight Freeney continues to dominate on defense. 

This year Atlanta will go into the season with all of their starters healthy on defense.  Let's see if Abraham will stop living off past production and start making plays now that the Falcons have depth.

1st Most Overrated: Roddy White

Roddy White has had three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons receiving and made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back years, which should include him in the conversation with fellow receivers Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson. Then why isn't he in that conversation? Simple, as there are three guarantees in life: death, taxes and Roddy White dropping the ball in a crucial situation.

Perhaps I still can't get over that drop in the playoff game against Arizona, but White just seems to slip when the situation is at it's most crucial.  Maybe that's why we saw Matt Ryan connect with Hall of Famer TE Tony Gonzalez when Atlanta was in either a third down or in the red zone.

White needs to step up when it matters most, and prove he is more than a stat machine.

5th Most Underrated: Harry Douglas

I know that a lot of the Falcons' faithful know how valuable HD is to the offense, but many within the NFL nation didn't realize how important he was to the Falcons offense as their scoring decreased in 2009 since he was out with a knee injury.

Douglas is a threat as a receiver and on special teams as a punt return specialist.  Now that Michael Jenkins is out for the first few games, Douglas will become the team's second wideout and used as a possession receiver.  He reminds me a lot of Tim Dwight in that whenever the ball is in his hands he will make something happen, which is a necessity in a balanced offense such as Atlanta's.

This year when Atlanta is in the playoffs they will see the presence that is Harry Douglas.

4th Most Underrated: Thomas DeCoud

DeCoud was another one of Dimitroff's draft picks in 2008 that panned out quite well.  He has been a clutch player in what was perceived as a weak secondary unit. Although he did earn NFC Defensive Player of the Week in 2009, a lot of people don't realize that his play will be vital if the secondary is going to become a threat in 2010.

3rd Most Underrated: Michael Koenen

Wait a minute?  What's a punter doing on here? 

Before you click to the next player, think about this for a second. An effective punter can keep an offense on its heels deep in their own zone.  It gives a defense a chance to pin their opponent and get a chance to get a turnover. 

Koenen was part of a team that had allowed an NFL-record low 49 punt return yards in 2008 and was second in touchbacks in 2009.

I know that many people watching go to the restroom when they see the punter in action, but remember that in order for a young defense to get an advantage they need someone who can give them a leg up on their opponent, and that is why Koenen is underrated.

2nd Most Overrated: Curtis Lofton

The Falcons' faithful know who Curtis Lofton is; however the rest of the NFL doesn't, and that's why he's on this list.

He has led the team in tackles since being drafted in 2008 (what is with that class?) and is one of the reasons Atlanta's defense will be more successful against the run, especially now that he has help in rookie Sean Weatherspoon.

I believe that by the end of this season the rest of the NFL will know what we've already realized: that Curtis Lofton is one of the best linebackers in the league.  Looking forward to seeing him in Hawaii this year.

Most Underrated Falcon: Kroy Biermann

Curtis Lofton won't be the only Falcons defender going to the Pro Bowl, because Kroy Biermann will be there alongside him.

When opposing tackles were holding down John Abraham last year, someone forgot to tell them about the third-year DT from Montana.  Biermann registered five sacks and even when he wasn't stuffing the quarterback he was making big plays when it matters most. How many times did you hear his name after a clutch tackle or turnover that went in the Falcons' favor in 2009? Plenty.

This year the NFL nation will know Kroy Biermann for more than just having a cool name and dating a Housewife.