Mike Furrey Earns the Most Underappreciated Athlete Award

It's fruitless to go as far back as Mike Furrey's college days to begin his case for most underappreciated athlete. However, it'd be slightly enlightening.

But instead, if you care, look at his college statistics. Google it. Not for me, but for him. I'm sure he'd appreciate it. Hell, he'd be thankful for any recognition he gets at this point, because his hard work sure hasn't done it for him by itself.

Friends, Mike Furrey, whether you knew he existed before you started reading, is a man to be reckoned with.

Mike Martz discovered him. And, just judging by history alone (Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce), Martz knows a thing or two about talent, especially at receiver.

However, considering the two aforementioned talents were cemented in as the starters, Furrey didn't see a ton of action early on in his career with the Rams. So, as the ideal team player, Furrey took his 20 career receptions and switched over to the defensive side of the ball, where there was a vacated safety position due to injury.

Furrey proceeded to register 57 tackles, four picks, and a returned touchdown in his stay at safety. Oh, and he had never played the position before.

Not impressed? Yeah, it's understandable, I guess. The guy was a no-name; he hadn't accomplished much in the pros, and he only did it for half a season. It was probably all luck.

And that's what the Rams figured, too.

Furrey never played again for the Rams and wound up latching on with the Lions after Mike Martz took over as offensive coordinator.

What happened? Oh, nothing but 98 receptions for over 1,000 yards and six scores in his first and only season as a starting receiver in the NFL.

Furrey's reward? A decent contract, the drafting of Calvin Johnson, and a demotion to third received behind Johnson and Roy Williams. Even as the slot receiver, Furrey still impressed in Martz's complex offense with 61 catches and over 600 yards.

Martz moved on to Frisco, leaving Furrey with his contract and decreasing role. In his third season with Detroit, Furrey saw his production and playing time drop for the second straight year this season, as he had eight catches through five games. This, while playing at the fourth receiver, behind ex-Ram Shaun McDonald.

Finally, after the Lions traded Williams to Dallas, Furrey was dropped back into his natural "possession" receiver position. And? Oh, nothing. Just an eight-catch outing against the Texans.

But what does this all mean?

It means Furrey is a no-nonsense team player, with outstanding skills and athletic ability. But he doesn't have the speed and measurables GM's look for, which renders him useless in today's NFL.

Can anyone give me and Mike Furrey an amen for his hard work and dedication toward playing again? Let's hope that, this time around, Furrey can prove his worth and actually keep his job for more than one season. Because like him or not, he's earned it.