25 NFL Players You Love to Hate but Would Love on Your Team

There are some players in the NFL, who every time you see on television, they evoke an emotion of hatred. You are tired of looking at them, you are tired of watching them run their mouth and you wouldn't mind seeing another player lay them out.

But there is something else going on with these guys. Deep down, you know that you would actually really want them to play for your own team because they would make your team better. That is sometimes hard to accept, but the realist in you knows that these guys are good. They have your respect, even though you really do hate them.

In some cases, the line is somewhat blurred between hate and mad respect. Since we are talking about perception, it is possible that some people may hate a player more or less than most. We will also bring up some names from the past to evoke some old, smoldering hatred for players that have long been retired, but qualify for inclusion in the article.

Jack Tatum

Jack Tatum was a fierce competitor. The Oakland Raiders defensive back was always a force on the field.

He would lay all that stick-em stuff over his arms and had good enough hands to be a threat to pick off passes. He was fearless and made his presence felt on the field.

You may remember the hit he made on Darryl Stingley that resulted in Stingley becoming paralyzed. Tatum earned his nickname the Assassin for a reason. He was somebody you hated but secretly wished played for your team.

James Harrison

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: James Farrior #51, James Harrison #92 and Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate a defensive play against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.

James Harrison has laid out his fare share of NFL players with vicious hits. He tries to play within the spirit of the laws of the game, but sometimes, he gets too carried away and can't stop himself.

These penalties and fines don't happen by accident, folks. There is a reason he keeps attracting these fines: He plays all out. Examples just from 2010 season alone are: Mohamed Massaquoi (fined $75,000,) Drew Brees ($20,000,) Ryan Fitzpatrick ($25,000,) and Vince Young ($5,000.)

He is the type of player you hate. But if you could have him on your team, you would be psyched up.

Simeon Rice

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 23: Simeon Rice #97 of the Denver Broncos reacts during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Invesco Field at Mile High on September 23, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. The Jaguars won 23-14. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Was there any player in recent memory more self-assured and self-confidant than Simeon Rice? Some may argue Terrell Owens, but at least Owens has been hired in the last several years, something Rice has trouble doing.

Rice is still in peak condition, but he is such a difficult personality to handle that all NFL teams have passed on him. He will continue to be on the outside looking in during the 2011 season because he couldn't figure out that his act would eventually make people hate him.

A great talent, to be sure, but this is one locker room problem most teams probably want to avoid. But if he were on your team, you just know that your defense would be a better unit, right?

Rodney Harrison

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 20: Rodney Harrison #37 of the New England Patriots is taken off the field after being injured against the Denver Broncos at Gillette Stadium on October 20, 2008 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Paytiots won 41-7. (Photo by Jim Rogash/

In an article on ESPN.com in 2007, Rodney Harrison was voted the NFL's dirtiest player. Sure, there were the 14 personal fouls that he picked up in the previous six years that had something to do with it, but there is also the sentiment that he went out of his way to hurt other players.

You can hate him all you want, and I did, but wouldn't you feel better if he was playing for your team rather than the opposition?

Hines Ward

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on while taking on the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Outside of the loyal mob of Pittsburgh Steelers fans around the country, it would be a relatively safe assumption that most NFL fans would react negatively to the name of Hines Ward.

Too many times, he has laid out an unsuspecting player who wasn't aware Ward was about to launch his body at them.

In a recent article I did on NFL feuds, I came across this Yahoo story on Bart Scott and Ward. Ward laid out Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers with a devastating hit that broke his jaw in three places.

Ward is the kind of guy, I think, that people probably respect to some degree. But they would love him if he played for their own team.

Plaxico Burress

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ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 14: Plaxico Buress #17 of the New York Giants celebrates a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on September 14, 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Plaxico Burress might be a different man now that he has been provided with a chance to collect his thoughts and do some solitary reflection.

But the old Burress was known for lots of animation, which probably didn't necessarily endear himself to the opposing team's fans that he was mocking.

For all the NFL fans that wondered how Burress would do on your team, you may get your wish. He will be going around the NFL carousel to see who is willing to give him one more chance to make a solid impression.

Conrad Dobler

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Retired Cardinals lineman Conrad Dobler talks as Dan Dierdorf is named to the team's Ring of Honor before play against the Chicago Bears Oct. 16, 2006 in Phoenix. The Bears won 24 - 23 on Monday Night Football and remained undefeated. (Photo by Al Me

Conrad Dobler was one of those throwback, old-time offensive linemen who would do anything he possibly could to prevent his quarterback from being sacked.

Whatever it took meant biting, kicking, throwing a punch or an elbow, even spitting. Dobler wanted to intimidate and hurt—or at least get under the skin of—defensive linemen.

Here is a great illustration on a NFL.com video clip to give you a better idea of what we are talking about.

Personally I thought Dobler was a jerk, but when he finished his career as a member of the Buffalo Bills, I strangely found myself rooting for him. Somehow the new uniform magically transformed Dobler from being a real pain to somebody that I could cheer for. Funny how that works, isn't it?

Ray Lewis

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BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Buccaneers 17-10. (Photo by Larry F

I don't have a problem with the shake-and-bake dance antics that Ray Lewis performs at the start of games to get his team and the fans worked up. Actually, I rather enjoy that part of his passion.

But, it is the constant running of his mouth that makes me cringe when I hear him going on one of his long-winded rants. Play the game, make your plays and show some flair; all of that is well and fine. But when you feel the need to needle the player on top of all that, that is where I have a problem with the show.

Now, if he was wearing a certain uniform that contained red, white and blue, I might feel differently about all the stuff he does.

Terrell Owens

How can anyone forget Terrell Owens spiking the football on the Dallas Cowboys logo at midfield after he scored a touchdown for the San Francisco 49ers? It is safe to assume that he generated enough hate from the state of Texas, and from Cowboys fans across the country, to last a lifetime.

But, then when you fast-forward to the years that Owens was playing for the Cowboys, he was a player that the fans came to enjoy and cheer for when he would light up the opposition on long touchdown plays.

Owens is a perfect example of this whole presentation. For the 31 other NFL teams' fans, you hate the guy. But when he is playing for your team, he is the greatest, and fans rush out to buy his newest team jersey.

Brandon Marshall

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins makes the catch as Kyle Arrington #27 of the New England Patriots defends on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

With all the antics and taunting Brandon Marshall pulls, it is little wonder he is hated by a wide number of fans. He also has a rather unique way of constantly getting into trouble, even with his own wife.

Marshall has pleased Dolphins and Broncos fans with his catches and athleticism. Soon enough, he will have officially worn out his welcome in Miami, and then some other new team will be cheering him on.

They will just have to be on the lookout and make sure that his wife doesn't have access to anywhere in the team's headquarters.

Bruce Smith

NFL players who cause a team to drastically alter their normal game plan just to account for that one special player usually means fans around the league will hate that player.

His skill level or talents are so far removed from the rest of his peers that the league has to react by changing their normal blocking patterns. Even then, there is no guarantee that they can eliminate the threat.

Such is the case with the Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith, the NFL's all-time sack leader. We know that football fans would rather have Smith on their team than face him, but that is the kind of player he was. Someone to be respected, someone to be feared and someone you must know where he was lining up at all times during the game.

Randy Moss

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Jim Leonhard #36 of the New York Jets defends against Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. There was no touchdown on the play.

NFL teams had their hands full trying to cover wide receiver Randy Moss in his prime. You could have exceptional coverage on him, but if the ball was dropped in over his shoulder, all he had to do sometimes was stick up one big paw and haul it in. There really wasn't that much NFL secondaries could do to stop him.

You would hate the way that he took some plays off or his lackadaisical attitude about the game in general. Sometimes he blocked and sometimes he chose not to. Whatever the reasons were that powered Moss or turned him in to a on-again, off-again type of player, the reality was that he was hated around the league by the fans of teams he repeatedly burnt for one touchdown after another.

Now as he approaches the winding-down phase of his career, we will see if any new NFL team fans are going to start appreciating that Moss is playing for their team and turn the old jeers into new cheers.

Eli Manning

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants in action against the Washington Redskins during their game on December 5, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

When you throw a hissy fit when some team you didn't want to play for drafted you, there is a pretty strong chance that you will wind up being a player that fans hate.

Eli Manning hasn't done much yet to change fans' perception that he is a spoiled player who will whine if he doesn't get his way.

Whether he will ever play for any NFL team other than the New York Giants in his career remains to be seen. If the Giants would ever trade him to another team, and if he would balk at playing for that team, is also another topic. We will have to wait and find out later.

Michael Vick

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 31: Michael Vick #7 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in NFL action December 31, 2006 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

To say that Michael Vick was hated around the NFL, especially coming out of his dog-fighting scandal, would be an understatement. Slowly but surely, he is winning back fans. But there is no doubt that he was a very hated player when the story broke.

How many fans now wish they had Vick as their starting quarterback?

It appears that the Eagles were willing to shop him in 2009-2010, but they never got an offer that blew them away. When you look at NFL teams that are having problems identifying a starting quarterback right now, you can see that a few NFL general managers are kicking themselves for not stepping up with an offer to the Eagles when they could have acquired him for a modest investment.

Michael Irvin

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2 Nov 1997: Wide receiver Michael Irvin of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Cowboys 17-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport

Michael Irvin and theatrics after a catch. It almost goes together like cheese and crackers or love and marriage. Almost.

Whether it is the exaggerated signal showing that he was responsible for creating a first down catch or acting like he was the greatest thing since sliced bread, Irvin was a pretty easy player to hate.

But, if you had him on your team, he would have undoubtedly turned in to the favorite receiver of your quarterback for a simple reason: Irvin could make plays.

Tom Brady

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty

What is it about Tom Brady that causes so many NFL fans to hate him? He was a low round draft pick, he got a chance to play due to an injury and stepped up and took advantage of his chance. On the surface, that is something that most of us should admire about him.

But then he started getting good on us, really good. The feelings or respect turned in to animosity, and the animosity turned into hate. He tops it off by marrying one of the hottest models on the planet, and we are supposed to feel better about him then? NOT.

Brady will probably wind up retiring as a Patriot player, so other NFL fans will probably never get to experience what it is like to root for him as one of your own. All the more reason to hate him.

Lawrence Taylor

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18 Oct 1992: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants moves down the field during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Rams won the game, 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Ken Levine /Allsport

NFL coaches would have to stay up late every night during the week leading up to games they were playing the New York Giants. The reason for the loss of sleep was them attempting to figure out how they could possibly slow down, or just contain, Lawrence Taylor.

Taylor would destroy offensive game plans routinely. His speed, power and athleticism were too much for slower offensive tackles to deal with. He was easily able to find out ways to make them look silly.

To the extent that his later problems in life contributed to fans hating him is unclear. But while he was in the NFL, he was somebody that fans loathed to see, knowing that he would be spending plenty of time coming in fast on the quarterback. If you need further testimony, just ask Joe Theismann.

Dick Butkus

Dick Butkus was another one of the throwback players that evoked a sense of dread or hatred whenever he and the rest of his Chicago Bears teammates would come into town.

From the ferocious hits to the loud growls, Butkus was thought of as some kind of an animal. But really, he was just a guy that was very intense and played with tons of passion. He really reminds me of Ray Lewis in that regard.

Butkus will be remembered as one of the most feared and hated players during his prime.

Deion Sanders

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25 Nov 1999: Deion Sanders #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates on the field during the game against the Miami Dolphins at the Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Dolphins 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez /Allsport

Deion Sanders. What is the first thing you think of when you picture him in the NFL? Cocky and arrogant. Doing his dance and trying to incite the crowd or mocking the opposition. Wearing the bandanna under the helmet and trying to psyche out the opposition wide receivers with his smack talk.

Sanders was a naturally gifted and talented player. He just couldn't leave well enough alone and stop there. He needed to get in to your face and make sure you knew that he was the best player on the field that day.

The two-sport talent and the swagger were plenty of reasons to hate Sanders. To this day, he still has the swagger—but he has toned it down a bit. But I have no problem recalling the original version in his prime, or was that Prime Time ?

Deacon Jones

Deacon Jones was a tough defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams. A member of the Fearsome Foursome, Jones never made it a secret that he wanted to go out and hurt the opposing quarterback.

If that wasn't enough to fuel the fire and hate an opposing player, then what else would or could? In spite of his reputation and continued threats, Jones found a way to consistently beat offensive linemen that could not match his combination of power, speed and quickness and prevent him from gaining access to the quarterback.

Unfortunately, Jones did not play in an era where sacks were recorded, so we won't know what his true place in history should be in regards to career sacks. But we have no doubt that he was as hated a player as any in that era of the NFL.

Jeremy Shockey

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 09: Jeremy Shockey #88 of the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on September 9, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Jeremy Shockey's game isn't what it used to be, but the guy that was sporting tattoos all over his arm was sure getting lots of publicity when he arrived to play with the New York Giants.

Young, brash and arrogant is usually a way to not make a lot of fans around the league. Shockey demonstrated some talent during his years with the Giants and went on to win a Super Bowl ring with the New Orleans Saints.

But if you were looking for a tight end when he was a member of Big Blue, he would be a guy that fans would probably have wanted to line up on their side of the ball.

Ray Nitschke

It must have been tough for Ray Nitschke to grow up in Illinois as a Chicago Bears fan, only to turn around and hate the team he loved when he became a member of the Green Bay Packers.

Nitschke brought a fierce level of play to the NFL that seemed brutal and animalistic at the time. Football fans hated him, and he was even able to portray some of his nasty side in the classic movie The Longest Yard.

But wouldn't you love to have Ray Nitschke on your team?

Philip Rivers

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers plays in the game against the Tennessee Titans at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Titans 33-25. (Photo by Jeff Gross

Is there a more animated quarterback in the NFL right now than Philip Rivers? Rivers was not afraid to taunt the opposition. His brash, abrasive style of play quickly found him the subject of fans' hatred around the NFL.

His play is solid and he led the No.1 offense in the NFL in 2010. But somehow, I don't believe there was a big pity party waiting to be formed when the Chargers failed to reach the playoffs. It is just that some guys bring out the worst in us, or is it just that karma has a way of catching up with guys like Rivers?

Joey Porter

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Linebacker Joey Porter #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Saints 30-20. (Ph

Joey Porter. He is outspoken. He has a passion for the game. But he has also been called a dirty player.

Whatever way you look at it, Porter has gained his share of enemies. He also is not afraid to tell you who he hates and why.

Porter is another of those players that you just enjoy hating, but know that he would make your defense better if he was on your team.

Bill Romanowski

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OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 22 : Bill Romanowski #53 of the Oakland Raiders warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 22, 2003 at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 21-6. (Photo by J

A player that admitted to taking steroids, who was out of control on the field and would have mood swings where he wasn't always aware of what he was doing—just one way to describe Bill Romanowski.

Romanowski had a number of incidents that led to him being hated around the league. Here are some of them:

Romanowski has been involved in numerous altercations with both teammates and opponents. In 1995, while with the Eagles, he was ejected from a game—and subsequently fined $4,500—for kicking Arizona Cardinals fullback Larry Centers in the head.

Two more incidents occurred during the 1997 season while he played for the Broncos. In the first, he was fined $20,000 after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Kerry Collins that resulted in a broken jaw for Collins. In the second, Romanowski spat in the face of 49ers wide receiver J.J. Stokes.

Two years later, while still with the Broncos, he was fined a total of $42,500 for three illegal hits plus a punch thrown at Tony Gonzalez. He was also fined an undisclosed amount for throwing a football at Bryan Cox, hitting him in the crotch with the ball.

But the worst example of why Romanowski was a bad teammate was in 2003, when he injured his own teammate Marcus Williams of the Oakland Raiders.

Romanowski attacked and injured Williams during a scrimmage. Williams, who was a backup tight end, was forced to retire after Romanowski confronted Williams after a play, ripped off his helmet and crushed his eye socket with one punch.